# 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:** 61
**Author:** ![Section\_Maker\_Jupe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/section_maker_jupe/32/1424_2.png) [@Section\_Maker\_Jupe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Section_Maker_Jupe)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1203 "2026-06-11T15:42:38Z")
Jen Psaki broadcast the entirety of his winning speech on her MS now show. Pretty well written, as many (talking heads) noted. Im toning down how great a speech they thought it was. I’m still encouraged by his candidancy, I do think our government needs a few less lawyers, and a few more working class folks, of which I am one. He came down really hard on Collins and her votes. Really hard. It will still be a close race, Platner seems to know his state, perhaps better than she does. 83 town Halls, she has done 1 or 2. We shall see. ---
**Author:** ![Aeschines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aeschines/32/16251_2.png) [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1204 "2026-06-11T16:00:44Z")
Even before the whole Nazi tattoo thing, I never liked him (which is not to say I hated him at that stage either; just that I didn’t get a good impression). It’s been depressing to see our side engage in the kind of special pleading I had thought was reserved for Trumpists. If we’re lucky, very lucky, he will win and not turn out to be a Fetterman or worse. ---
**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, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1205 "2026-06-11T16:17:36Z")
> [@Blalron](#): > > If Graham Platner were a centrist democrat that supported Israel, we would barely be hearing a peep about his so-called scandals. Not really. He is poised to beat Collins for the GOP propaganda machine is in full operation, ---
**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, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1206 "2026-06-11T17:06:21Z")
I stand by my prediction that the GOP campaign won’t make a big deal about the tattoo; most of their base wouldn’t understand why a Nazi tattoo is supposed to be a bad thing. They will be much more interested in clutching their pearls about the Reddit post where he called himself a “communist”. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1207 "2026-06-11T17:40:39Z")
> [@Thing.Fish](#): > > most of their base Most of their base will vote Collins no matter what. It’s the slightly more than a third of voters that are independents that matter most, a group that really actually is Independent in more than name. Followed by trying to suppress the D side turnout. ---
**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, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1208 "2026-06-11T17:43:25Z")
> [@Aeschines](#): > > It’s been depressing to see our side engage in the kind of special pleading What’s the special pleading? ---
**Author:** ![DeadTreasSecretaries](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deadtreassecretaries/32/4817_2.png) [@DeadTreasSecretaries](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeadTreasSecretaries)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1209 "2026-06-11T18:31:57Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > Most of their base will vote Collins no matter what. It’s the slightly more than a third of voters that are independents that matter most, a group that really actually is Independent in more than name. Followed by trying to suppress the D side turnout. And with Collins in particular it’s really about the people whose vote (or lack thereof) keeps the state going to Biden, Harris, Angus King etc while still reelecting Collins. It’s the (slighly less dramatic) reverse of Manchin or Tester attracting a significant number of Trump voters. ---
**Author:** ![Aeschines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aeschines/32/16251_2.png) [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1210 "2026-06-11T19:24:41Z")
Making the excuses for the Nazi tattoo, sexting while married, having a Kik account, lots of stupid online comments, etc., that we do not make on behalf of Republicans. In short, holding Platner to a special standard for him, just this once, because we need to defeat the nazis (and we do–but still…). ---
**Author:** ![Aeschines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aeschines/32/16251_2.png) [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1211 "2026-06-11T19:28:15Z")
Though I suppose “double standard” is more appropriate, though special pleading is close in certain aspects of this. “Oh, a tattoo like that isn’t a big deal when you’re just out wasted with your military buddies getting kooky tattoos, heh heh!” The fallacy of super-special excuses just for your side, in other words. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1212 "2026-06-11T20:48:23Z")
No really the tattoo is to many of us, and most voters in Maine, a nothingburger. I get that there are some here who feel very strongly another way, as they have said to no end, repetitively, but my sense is that it was a nothingburger in all his life with no one bothered by it, and given that no reason to do anything about it, until some were saying it was potentially bothersome. Mind you that is the case for that in isolation. Someone with that who has other behaviors and memberships consistent with Nazi admiration or fascist love, then it is another nail. In isolation? A Republican could have it no problem. The sexting is another thing. Personally I don’t especially care if any politician is a crappy spouse. Personal life. Using your position over someone would be my business not private life. But I think that is a change for many others. Past times dick pics for example have ended careers. ---
**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, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1213 "2026-06-11T21:35:41Z")
> [@Aeschines](#): > > sexting while married, having a Kik account, lots of stupid online comments, etc. The tattoo is kind of a special case, but I wouldn’t disqualify someone of any party from public office solely on the basis of any of the above. So no double standard here. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1214 "2026-06-11T21:58:55Z")
FWIW: > **[Graham Platner gets more primary votes than any other Democratic Senate...](https://www.mainepublic.org/politics/2026-06-11/graham-platner-gets-more-primary-votes-than-any-other-democratic-senate-candidate-in-maine-history)** > > The combat veteran and oyster farmer has also received more primary votes than all of the Republican gubernatorial candidates combined despite the best primary turnout year for GOP hopefuls since 1994. Still possible it was driven by the competitive Democratic Governor race and his turnout was just following that … ---
**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, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1215 "2026-06-11T22:01:47Z")
Sure, but people could have easily just not voted for Platner if they had concerns about him. This seems like good news for Maine Democrats in general, which is good news for us all. ---
**Author:** ![DeadTreasSecretaries](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deadtreassecretaries/32/4817_2.png) [@DeadTreasSecretaries](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeadTreasSecretaries)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1216 "2026-06-11T22:03:34Z")
> [@Thing.Fish](#): > > The tattoo is kind of a special case, but I wouldn’t disqualify someone of any party from public office solely on the basis of any of the above. So no double standard here. Sorry if this is slightly off topic, but there is also a legitimate reason to hold this standard specifically for a presidential candidate in that this kind of thing opens you up to blackmail and the risks of one senator having embarrassing secrets is unavoidable and much lower stakes whereas the president is in a very unique security position obviously. ---
**Author:** ![Aeschines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aeschines/32/16251_2.png) [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1217 "2026-06-11T22:18:09Z")
The problem is the overall pattern of behavior, which suggests two bad things: 1. He is an actual asshole. I don’t want anyone from either party who is an asshole to be a US Senator. 2. More shit will come out that will actually sink his candidacy, and the mummified Collins will win. I estimate the chance of more stuff coming out about this guy to be roughly 100%, and the chance of more stuff coming out that sinks his candidacy to be roughly 75%. A lousy way to argue about this is to ignore the pattern and just argue about the individual elements. Doing so prevents one from seeing the above two issues. Even if you don’t care about #1, you still should about #2. > [@DSeid](#): > > No really the tattoo is to many of us, and most voters in Maine, a nothingburger. I get that there are some here who feel very strongly another way, as they have said to no end, repetitively, but my sense is that it was a nothingburger in all his life with no one bothered by it, and given that no reason to do anything about it, until some were saying it was potentially bothersome. Mind you that is the case for that in isolation. Someone with that who has other behaviors and memberships consistent with Nazi admiration or fascist love, then it is another nail. In isolation? A Republican could have it no problem. Yeah, it’s not in isolation. This guy was a merc for Blackwater and has a history of lying/bullshitting about the tattoo, etc. He was coyly covering it up with a towel in his Kik profile (yeah, he was in the buff except for a towel. You think more isn’t going to come out about this guy in the sexual department?! Dream on!). > [@](#): > > The sexting is another thing. Personally I don’t especially care if any politician is a crappy spouse. Personal life. This is analogous to all the MAGA fuckheads who don’t care or in fact celebrate that Trump has been a complete scumbag and abuser his whole life. I can’t get on board with that. > [@Thing.Fish](#): > > The tattoo is kind of a special case, but I wouldn’t disqualify someone of any party from public office solely on the basis of any of the above. So no double standard here. Yep, it’s the pattern that counts. I certainly don’t want Dem politicians to be like him. ---
**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 11, 2026, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1218 "2026-06-11T22:31:15Z")
> [@Aeschines](#): > > He was coyly covering it up with a towel in his Kik profile (yeah, he was in the buff except for a towel. You think more isn’t going to come out about this guy in the sexual department?! Dream on!). Not quite, it’s worse than that: he tactically positioned his phone such that it hit the tattoo in the selfie. So it’s not like the whole area where the tattoo is (his chest) was covered, he was very intentionally positioning his hand to hide it. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1219 "2026-06-11T22:31:54Z")
> [@Aeschines](#): > > This is analogous to all the MAGA fuckheads who don’t care or in fact celebrate that Trump has been a complete scumbag and abuser his whole life. I can’t get on board with that. Consensual activity with adults is fundamentally different from non consensual activities. So far, we have no reports or evidence of non consensual sex, or anyone underage, regarding Platner. Recent politics have demonstrated over and over again that no one cares about consensual sex between adults. ---
**Author:** ![Aeschines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aeschines/32/16251_2.png) [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1220 "2026-06-11T22:35:15Z")
Yet. Though I did not mean to imply that Platner had been accused of nonconsensual behavior. Donald Trump would be a top-grade sexual scumbag even without any of his nonconsensual depredations, such as having sex with a porn star and paying her off. ---
**Author:** ![Aeschines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aeschines/32/16251_2.png) [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1221 "2026-06-11T22:37:06Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Recent politics have demonstrated over and over again that no one cares about consensual sex between adults. This is BS. The guy is newly married and was sexting with six women? That’s cool? You don’t care? Nobody cares? I have standards, sorry. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2026, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1222 "2026-06-11T22:44:39Z")
One of my all-time favorite authors, Catherynne Valente, weighs in. She is calm and measured. > **[The Democratic Urge to Lose](https://catvalente.substack.com/p/the-democratic-urge-to-lose)** > > I went to see Graham Platner speak and all I got was this lousy sack of bullshit from people on the internet who don't even go here A sample: > [@](#): > > Not to mention riding the “dipshit to decency” pipeline has been Platner’s brand from jump and it’s why he’s been successful. Mainers knew, it’s been on label the whole time. Everyone loves a conversion story. Nobody here heard “working class ex-military white guy fisherman” and didn’t assume he was rough around the edges at a minimum. For the most part, it’s why a lot of people around here like him. This is not a state that falls along easy party lines. Our political motto might as well be “why don’t you go fuck yourself, bub, and leave us alone?” It’s also why a lot of red-leaning independents like him, and that’s why the media is in a panic that Collins might go, and Trump, of all fucking tentacled creatures of the underdark, is out there calling him a thug. Which won’t help at all, it just fixes the whole “Democrats aren’t tough” thing, but what Trump understands about human nature would barely make a splash in his golden toilet. The whole thing is a delightful read, because Valente knows her way around a fucking sentence. [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=60) [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=62)