# Are there any reasons to reject Graham Platner in Maine (campaign suspended July 8, 2026) **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [March 4, 2026, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179 "2026-03-04T03:50:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 60
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2026, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1183 "2026-06-10T22:45:40Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > Platner not knowing what it was when he originally got it doesn’t make it not a Totenkopf. > {…} > I’m perfectly willing to believe that Platner and his mates got the tattoos because they thought they looked cool and badass {…} Assuming you’re perfectly willing to believe both of those things then Platner did not intentionally get a “Nazi tattoo”. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2026, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1184 "2026-06-10T22:49:56Z")
I’m just trying to get one poster to stop claiming the tattoo wasn’t what it was. When Platner understood what it was is a different conversational thread. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2026, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1185 "2026-06-10T22:54:12Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Give us evidence that he’s ever shown interest, as an adult, in teenagers. Show us his search history, or his walking in on teen beauty contestants, or his talking about how he’d date a teen if she were older, or some other evidence. Using an app that teens use _is not evidence_. I’m sure they will - in October. And then some of us will be shocked and insist that there was no way to have known, while others will be rolling our eyes. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2026, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1186 "2026-06-10T22:56:49Z")
> [@crowmanyclouds](#): > > Assuming you’re perfectly willing to believe both of those things then Platner did not intentionally get a “Nazi tattoo”. What a strange non-sequitor, since no one has alleged that he intentionally got a Nazi tattoo (no scare quotes needed, unless you want to prove @Gyrate right for more than just China Guy) ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2026, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1187 "2026-06-10T22:58:43Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > I’m sure they will - in October. And then some of us will be shocked and insist that there was no way to have known, while others will be rolling our eyes. And when November comes and the “proof” you’re trying to will into existence still hasn’t manifested? ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2026, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1188 "2026-06-10T23:25:53Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > And when November comes and the “proof” you’re trying to will into existence still hasn’t manifested? That would be great! ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2026, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1189 "2026-06-10T23:38:38Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > What a strange non-sequitor, since no one has alleged that he intentionally got a Nazi tattoo So we’re all clear, Platner became a Nazi after he accidentally got a “Nazi tattoo”. He did not get the tattoo because he was a Nazi at that time. So the tattoo is evidence of what again? ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2026, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1190 "2026-06-10T23:39:46Z")
Clearly, as soon as he found out what it was, he decided that becoming a Nazi was easier than getting it removed, of course. 🙄 ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2026, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1191 "2026-06-10T23:43:13Z")
> [@crowmanyclouds](#): > > So we’re all clear, Platner became a Nazi after he accidentally got a “Nazi tattoo”. We’re all clear about what, your ridiculous strawman? ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2026, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1192 "2026-06-10T23:44:07Z")
What strawman? Would you prefer _unintentionally_ to _accidentally_? ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1193 "2026-06-11T00:09:22Z")
> [@crowmanyclouds](#): > > So the tattoo is evidence of what again? Evidence that he is ok with having a Nazi tattoo, which makes him a Nazi. Exactly like how being ok with having a Nazi in your party makes you a Nazi party. ---
**Author:** ![Thing.Fish](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thing.fish/32/9168_2.png) [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1194 "2026-06-11T00:58:19Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Clearly, as soon as he found out what it was, he decided that becoming a Nazi was easier than getting it removed, of course. 🙄 He just thought it really tied his chest together. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1195 "2026-06-11T01:04:03Z")
> [@DigitalC](#): > > Evidence that he is ok with having a Nazi tattoo, which makes him a Nazi. So are Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley Nazis? ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1196 "2026-06-11T01:05:27Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > So are Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley Nazis? I already got a warning in this thread so I can’t give you the answer this deserves. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1197 "2026-06-11T01:08:45Z")
Logically, they must be, right? Their band’s logo has a Nazi symbol in it, and, as you’ve established, the only reason someone would be OK with associating themselves with a Nazi symbol is if they’re Nazis. The fact that they’re both Jewish and Simmons is the child of a Holocaust survivor is irrelevant, because the presence of the symbol trumps any other statement or action they’ve ever engaged in in their lives. See the implications of your argument? ---
**Author:** ![ZosterSandstorm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e0b2c6/32.png) [@ZosterSandstorm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZosterSandstorm)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1198 "2026-06-11T01:31:54Z")
I wholeheartedly agree that Gene Simmons should not be a United States Senator either. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1199 "2026-06-11T01:32:31Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > The fact that they’re both Jewish and Simmons is the child of a Holocaust survivor Meaning that parent has a literal Nazi tattoo, tattooed by an actual Nazi, making that parent… extra Nazi, I guess. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1200 "2026-06-11T02:29:23Z")
If I understand the argument correctly, Maine has at least 150,000 Nazis, most or all of them Democrats. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1201 "2026-06-11T03:07:02Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > It looking like an “amorphous blob” in your personal opinion doesn’t make it not a Totenkopf. > > The relative obscurity or not of it within Nazi symbology doesn’t make it not a Totenkopf, not even with your frantic flailing and exaggeration on the subject. > > Random people not recognizing it does not make it not a Totenkopf, not even if they’re Jewish. > > Platner not knowing what it was when he originally got it doesn’t make it not a Totenkopf. Altho blurry, it certainly looks like one, sure, I can accept that is what it is. But that doesnt mean Platner is a nazi, or knew what it was when he got it. > [@Babale](#): > > What a strange non-sequitor, since no one has alleged that he intentionally got a Nazi tattoo If you read back quite a bit, you will find people making that claim- also that his buddies are nazis and that Tattoo parlor is a nazi base of some sort. Or that’s what I remember someone saying. > [@Smapti](#): > > Logically, they must be, right? Their band’s logo has a Nazi symbol in it, and, as you’ve established, the only reason someone would be OK with associating themselves with a Nazi symbol is if they’re Nazis. The fact that they’re both Jewish and Simmons is the child of a Holocaust survivor is irrelevant, because the presence of the symbol trumps any other statement or action they’ve ever engaged in in their lives. Right. So, now, we have to agree- the mere presence of a nazi symbol does _not_ make a person a nazi. Now, I admit, one can look somewhat askance at people who have one, and maybe think they failed their wisdom check. ---
**Author:** ![Blalron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/35a633/32.png) [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1202 "2026-06-11T08:23:36Z")
If Graham Platner were a centrist democrat that supported Israel, we would barely be hearing a peep about his so-called scandals. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179.md?page=59) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179.md?page=61)