# 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:** 72
**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:** [July 7, 2026, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1423 "2026-07-07T01:09:52Z")
I don’t think you’ve been following my posts in this thread. Reread those, and then if you have a substantial objection to them, you know where to find me. ---
**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:** [July 7, 2026, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1424 "2026-07-07T01:12:45Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > I don’t agree it was obvious. I had originally anticipated something like this, but then when the domestic violence accusations came out, I cautiously thought this might be the worst of it. It just seemed like, if they could get something bigger, they would have. Yep, thinking that was the end of it was _not_ cautious, is the thing. Plus there were rumors that something worse was going to come out. > [@](#): > > I also don’t agree with any parallels with Trump’s supporters. What I saw were frustrated responses to bad arguments and highly implausible scenarios, not blind faith. Said frustration is no lower for me, as those who held fast to bad arguments will see this as evidence they were right. I can’t really make heads or tails of this paragraph. Trump supporters basically forgave Trump for some things and doubted that he had actually done things or said it was just his political opponents making things up. The same “logic” was seen at work in the Platner situation. > [@](#): > > But if you argued stuff like “he will turn on us and be even more MAGA than Collins when elected” then you’re still wrong. I certainly have wondered whether he could become another Fetterman, as this man is an erratic liar. > [@](#): > > Same if you were like “Nazi tattoo, end of thought.” There was no time to say that, as other issues immediately followed upon “tattoogate.” But yeah, the Nazi tattoo was an incredibly bad sign, as he was clearly lying his ass off about it. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1425 "2026-07-07T01:14:27Z")
Aaaand now Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee, Schumer, Gillibrand and Ken Martin, chair of the Democratic Party, are all pulling support and/or calling for him to drop out. The DSCC also said if he stays in they will pull all funds for the Senate race in Maine. ---
**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:** [July 7, 2026, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1426 "2026-07-07T01:15:41Z")
I haven’t, but I did respond to your post that had bad reasoning in it that one should not be expected to think would make more sense in light of previous posts. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1427 "2026-07-07T01:31:09Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > Aaaand now Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee, Schumer, Gillibrand and Ken Martin, chair of the Democratic Party, are all pulling support and/or calling for him to drop out. Yeah, just about everyone has called on him to drop out. > **[Top Democrats call on Graham Platner to drop out as sexual assault allegation...](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/graham-platner-maine-senate-race-sexual-assault-allegation/)** > > A Maine woman told Politico that Graham Platner entered her home in late 2021 and forced himself on her. Platner denies the allegation. One notable exception is Bernie Sanders. > One of Platner’s highest-profile supporters — independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont — has not commented on the sexual assault allegation, but stood by him after prior allegations. I’m guessing if Sanders joins the others, that’s the final nail in this. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1428 "2026-07-07T01:33:59Z")
AOC hasn’t either that I can tell. If she and Sanders stick with him I’m betting he stays in the race. ---
**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:** [July 7, 2026, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1429 "2026-07-07T01:55:02Z")
AOC never actually endorsed him, which is looking like a galaxy brain move right now. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1430 "2026-07-07T01:57:13Z")
My argument is simple. Your argument is hindsight bias. I demonstrated a perfectly rational reason to not have anticipated a rape accusation, so your claim that everyone who didn’t anticipate it happening is irrational is false. (And the term cautious optimism is a thing. It means I wasn’t sure, but I was hoping.) You claimed that the support of Platner was caused by the same cult-level psychology as support of Trump. **No one was all in on Platner like he is the Messiah**. They were simply frustrated while arguing against bad arguments against him. So that comparison was ad hominem. I then gave examples to illustrated what I meant. The first argument has been shown to be valid. The other two have not. The one correct argument was held by almost everyone in the thread, so your comparison to Trump supporters was inapt. Trump supporters would not think the rape mattered either. ---
**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:** [July 7, 2026, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1431 "2026-07-07T02:13:17Z")
Some poor reasoning here. > [@BigT](#): > > My argument is simple. Your argument is hindsight bias. Hardly. I wrote this here on June 11: > [@Aeschines](#): > > 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%. Ding ding ding ding! > [@](#): > > I demonstrated a perfectly rational reason to not have anticipated a rape accusation, so your claim that everyone who didn’t anticipate it happening is irrational is false. I did not say specifically that it would be obvious that he would be accused of rape. I _meant_ that it was obvious that something else big would come out, as I prophetically said above (if anticipating the fucking obvious makes one prophetic, lol). But fine–let’s say I _did_ mean a rape accusation specifically. This asshole had already been accused of abuse by multiple women–predicting a rape accusation wasn’t much of a stretch! > [@](#): > > (And the term cautious optimism is a thing. It means I wasn’t sure, but I was hoping.) I’m aware of the term, lol. I’m saying that people who were thinking this was were _not_ exerting reasonable caution or being smart. > [@](#): > > You claimed that the support of Platner was caused by the same cult-level psychology as support of Trump. I absolutely did not say that. I said that people were making excuses for him and establishing a double standard for him in the same way that the fascists have done for Trump. > [@](#): > > **No one was all in on Platner like he is the Messiah**. They were simply frustrated while arguing against bad arguments against him. So that comparison was ad hominem. Ridiculous. Almost no argument against this asshole _could_ have been bad–he was completely and clearly unacceptable by the time the tattoo issue appeared. > [@](#): > > The one correct argument was held by almost everyone in the thread, so your comparison to Trump supporters was inapt. Trump supporters would not think the rape mattered either. I’m not sure to what “correct” argument you are referring. ---
**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:** [July 7, 2026, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1432 "2026-07-07T02:24:05Z")
> [@Aeschines](#): > > Ridiculous. Almost no argument against this asshole _could_ have been bad–he was completely and clearly unacceptable by the time the tattoo issue appeared. Ridiculous. Almost no argument against this asshole _was_ made other than the tattoo issue. ---
**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:** [July 7, 2026, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1433 "2026-07-07T02:26:32Z")
That is factually untrue. You are clearly unaware of the accusations made against him as of June 11 when I last posted. I really hate to see our side being as bad as the fascists when it comes to knowledge and reasoning. Edit: Oh, _and_ the multiple accusations that were out there _when_ the tattoo story started gaining traction, so you were clearly not aware of what was in the news even at that point. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1434 "2026-07-07T02:27:29Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > One notable exception is Bernie Sanders. Bernie’s not a Democrat - he’s an independent and he doesn’t have to worry about his supporters withholding contributions from other party members. ---
**Author:** ![JohnGalt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johngalt/32/184_2.png) [@JohnGalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnGalt)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1435 "2026-07-07T02:29:57Z")
Add Tim Walz to the list saying he should withdraw. ---
**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:** [July 7, 2026, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1436 "2026-07-07T02:31:00Z")
> [@Aeschines](#): > > That is factually untrue. You are clearly unaware of the accusations made against him as of June 11 when I last posted. Remind me, when did this thread start? Was it before June 11? Or do the 1,000 posts before that day not count somehow? ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1437 "2026-07-07T02:32:39Z")
**Moderating:** I understand that there are hard feelings on both sides about arguments made upthread, and that so far the rancor has kept just this side of attacking the post/arguments rather than poster, but we’re getting very close to the line. A note to all to carefully consider that line when it comes to allegations about motives, understandings, or accuracy when discussing the quickly changing situation. If not, many of you are also participating in the parallel [Pit thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-defending-graham-platner-are-pathetic-and-intellectually-bankrupt/1030839), so please take it there as needed. ---
**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:** [July 7, 2026, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1438 "2026-07-07T02:51:12Z")
Indeed, I am saying that they _do_ count. The tattoo might have been the star of the show at some point in this thread, but at the time the tattoo story came out, there were multiple accusations–not even _accusations_, undeniable bad behavior consisting of Platner’s comments online, etc. From the start of this thread, it has been known that this guy is no good. Any good Liberal here would have taken a look at the same pattern of behavior as exhibited by a fascist and excoriated said fascist and supposed that it was just the tip of the iceberg (though one poster here has said they would not blink at a similar pattern as exhibited by a fascist, which I find extremely unlikely). ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1439 "2026-07-07T04:06:25Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > He didn’t just get a gross tattoo, he got a gross tattoo, lied about knowing its meaning for decades; during an argument with an ex he pushed her into a room, physically held the door shut, and then intimidated her into staying there until the next morning; and he cheated on his wife using the app Kik, which is renowned both for the ability to keep messages very private as well as for the high percentage of minors who make up the userbase. 1. There is no evidence, except a MAGA Operative that he knew early that it was a Nazi tattoo. In fact one of his mates came forward and said otherwise. I take the word of a Marine who fought for our nation over a MAGA Operative, who is a known liar. 2. Same- that accusation was by the known and verified MAGA operative. 3. Which his wife was cool about. 4. And there is no evidence of that, except that for a while it’s age verification was weak. > [@Aeschines](#): > > Before, there were already accusations of abuse from other women, ONE woman, a known and verified MAGA operative and liar. > [@puzzlegal](#): > > Most of the Democratic party is asking him to step down, which would apparently let the Maine Democratic leadership pick someone to replace him. Yep. Altho nearly every other accusation was bogus, this one is too solid to be brushed off. She isnt a known MAGA paid operative, she was his girlfriend for quite some time. _It is time for him to withdraw,_ for the good of the party. Sadly this mean we dont have much chance of retaking the Senate now, but that is how it is. > [@Aeschines](#): > > The same “logic” was seen at work in the Platner situation. No, the other accusations were proven to be wrong- a known GOP Operative? And a Marine who got the Tat with him said they didnt know what it was- and he gave his name and everything. So, yeah, drunk testosterone fueled Marines doing something that turned out later to be a bad choice? Okay. But it is time for him to go. This accusation is not by a known GOP operative and liar. This accusation has to be taken seriously. > [@BigT](#): > > . **No one was all in on Platner like he is the Messiah**. They were simply frustrated while arguing against bad arguments against him. So that comparison was ad hominem. Yep, the arguments against him not only weak- but proven false- up until now. I have always said I would not support Platner (except vs Collins of course, and for that I’d take the proverbial ham sandwich), but I hated reasonable, known liberal posters here taking the word of a known and verified GOP operative as gospel. Even now. > [@Aeschines](#): > > Ridiculous. Almost no argument against this asshole _could_ have been bad–he was completely and clearly unacceptable by the time the tattoo issue appeared. Taking the word of a known, verified MAGA Operative vs his Marine buddy, who served to protect our nation? > [@Aeschines](#): > > Oh, _and_ the multiple accusations that were out there _when_ the tattoo story started gaining traction, From that GOP Operative? Look _until now_, the accusations were weak and bogus. Gee- he flirted online- but his wife was Okay with that. It _could_ turn out this new accusation is unproven also. But unlike the others, it is solid and believable. **He has to step down.** ---
**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:** [July 7, 2026, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1440 "2026-07-07T04:09:14Z")
I linked earlier to Maine voter and fantasy author Cathrynne Valente’s…_spirited_ defense of Platner. Here’s her update. > **[It's The Hope That Kills You](https://catvalente.substack.com/p/its-the-hope-that-kills-you)** > > The sudden end of Graham Platner ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1441 "2026-07-07T04:10:17Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Here’s her update. > And once again it’ll all be blamed on the Democratic Party, despite Platner _utterly screwing them_ and spending his whole campaign constantly saying he wasn’t supported by them nor did he particularly like them or consider himself one of them. They have no good choices, and whatever they do it’ll be their fault according to everyone who has a vested interest in nobody supporting Democrats unless they say they’re not really Democrats. > > Thanks a fucking lot, Platner. Good game, you probably lost the remaining sane people of this country the Senate. Great cite, thanks. ---
**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:** [July 7, 2026, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine-campaign-suspended-july-8-2026/1028179/1442 "2026-07-07T04:17:17Z")
I’m glad you’ve reached the correct conclusion, and there is no point in debating other stuff that preceded this conclusion. [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=71) [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=73)