I've changed my mind on Graham Platner a few times.

[Chasstev365]

While his progressive rhetoric sounds great, the bottom line is when you add everything up, the guy is just sketchy.

Another Democrat in Maine is more than capable of beating Susan Collins in November.

[Boo1]

1. Considering the number of lies

Why does anyone even think he would have been the progressive he was claiming to be?

[karynnj]

3. Good point.

Last edited Tue Jul 7, 2026, 03:23 PM - Edit history (1)

His narrative, while compelling never added up.

He was born into a well off, connected family, yet he saw himself as just an oysterman. He spoke of building a business, but was on 100 percent disability from the military, so he took no pay to avoid losing that payment. ( I fully expected this to blow up in the general election. Not to mention, if he healthy enough to be Senator, how can he be 100 percent disabled.)

I did see some of his interviews and rallies and agree he is a compelling speaker. However, if he is not replaced, I suspect this will be the first of many crisis.

He not only deployed several times in the US military, but went back as part of Blankwater.

[Maru Kitteh]

8. Service-connected disability is complicated. I work with that population.

I think Republicans attacking him on service-connected disability would have worked against Collins - but rape is a whole different category.

[karynnj]

9. Sorry, I should not have spoken about something I know nothing about

Knowing nothing, it sounded like he was taking advantage of the system to keep that designation.

[Maru Kitteh]

10. Naw don't be sorry! It really is complicated and often maddening

A lot of service-connected disabled have businesses of their own, and generally had someone from inside the system watching their six to make sure they’re not running afoul of some arcane regulation, helping them navigate the whole mess and protect their health and future at the same time.

DOGE clipped the already overtaxed agency down to a nub and made what was already difficult next to impossible now and I've watched men die waiting too long for authorizations but that’s a whole other subject.

[karynnj]

11. Thank you for your explanation

I can see now why that would likely not be a vulnerability.

[LeftInTX]

14. PTSD is probably a biggy in his diagnosis.

Almost everyone who serves now gets disability. My husband's niece husband served a few years. He went to Japan

He now gets disabililty.

My brother was an HOA president in a fairly upscale neighborhood. He said, "You know everyone here is on VA disability? It's a big scam". In Texas if you are a disabled vet, you don't have to pay property taxes either.

[Greybnk48]

2. I agree. And it's become more and more clear that he has too many problems, unfortunately.

I may be totally off base with this, I would not be surprised if it was "friendly fire" that has taken him down. He was polling well against Collins and she should be easily beatable.

[TBF]

6. "I would not be surprised if it was "friendly fire" that has taken him down"

100% - this is what I think happened.

After Trump going off on communists this weekend and Platner (self-described democratic socialist) falling yesterday, I was convinced it was friendly fire.

Still, it may be for the best. As a female I know how credible the allegations are, and with this guy it's not just one story coming out. He seems to have a lot of issues.

The question is where to go from here - we need someone who can get people out to vote. I haven't forgotten Susan Collins pivotal vote for Kavanaugh.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

4. He was like a lefty GWB if GWB was rapey.

[Firestorm49]

5. At this point he seems unelectable. As sheepish as our party seems to be, we can do better.

[Maru Kitteh]

7. Same here. It's time to cut bait and leave this behind

He should have already stepped aside by this morning, and if he really does care for the people who support him, he will soon rather than later.

[redstatebluegirl]

12. This guy is a nightmare.

Why didn't they vet this guy? This election is to important to have a toxic masculinity candidate running for Senate.

Yes I like his policies, but there are other sane candidates out there. Platner is NOT acceptable.

If he gets elected, I will become an independent and quit giving money to the party.

For reasons I choose not to go into, this is a huge deal for me. There is no excuse for sexual assault.

[WinningAgain]

13. The problem started with the lack of vetting

I have to believe they knew about his issues and ignored them when he started gaining momentum.

From early on my oldest daughter said he gave off creeper vibes.