# People defending Graham Platner are pathetic and intellectually bankrupt **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 12, 2026, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-defending-graham-platner-are-pathetic-and-intellectually-bankrupt/1030839 "2026-06-12T02:58:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 13
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-defending-graham-platner-are-pathetic-and-intellectually-bankrupt/1030839/241 "2026-07-06T20:52:28Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > Do you not care about rape?! FFS, what is wrong with you? Are you talking to me? Platner blew through all my red lines months ago, the principal one being the Nazi tattoo. I already wrote him off as a dirtbag. You want me to double-dog condemn him? Fine. Make it a triple-dog. Already hated him. But I’m interested in hearing from others why the rape is an issue. Last week they were excusing Nazi tattoos. Last week they were insisting that literally nothing mattered except defeating Susan Collins the “fascist”. Seems we’re singing a different tune now. Is that because rape is worse than fascism or Nazism? Or is it because people finally found the red line that mattered to them? Or is it pragmatically the fact that the way this race is going to get nationalized, character really does matter after all? ---
**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:** [July 6, 2026, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-defending-graham-platner-are-pathetic-and-intellectually-bankrupt/1030839/242 "2026-07-06T20:52:48Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > …and so she decided to go to Politico, a pro-Trump outlet. Politico is not a ‘pro Trump outlet’. Here is what Ground News says: > **[Breaking News Headlines Today | Ground News](https://ground.news/interest/politico)** > > Breaking News Headlines Today | Ground News > [@](#): > > Politico’s media bias is Lean Left. Ground News assigned this score by aggregating media bias ratings of a leanLeft rating from Ad Fontes Media, a leanLeft rating from Media Bias/Fact Check, a leanLeft rating from from AllSides. > > Politico’s factuality rating is High. Ground News calculates this rating using a combination of the fact and reliability ratings from Ad Fontes Media and Media Bias/Fact Check. ---
**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:** [July 6, 2026, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-defending-graham-platner-are-pathetic-and-intellectually-bankrupt/1030839/243 "2026-07-06T20:54:05Z")
Politico “leaning left” is a massive joke. Not even close. This story is very credible, but not because Politico is any better than a DC insider, “both sides”, Trump-normalizing, access-whore rag. ---
**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 6, 2026, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-defending-graham-platner-are-pathetic-and-intellectually-bankrupt/1030839/244 "2026-07-06T20:56:14Z")
> [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > But I’m interested in hearing from others why the rape is an issue. Last week they were excusing Nazi tattoos. That seems like a gross mischaracterization of what people were saying. I don’t recall a single person who said that knowing something was a Nazi tattoo and getting it was okay. But you’re interested in hearing why people don’t like rapists? Shouldn’t that be somewhat obvious? Or are you confused why people think raping someone is worse than getting a tattoo that they (possibly) didn’t know was a Nazi symbol and later getting it covered up? ---
**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:** [July 6, 2026, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-defending-graham-platner-are-pathetic-and-intellectually-bankrupt/1030839/245 "2026-07-06T20:57:06Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > That seems like a gross mischaracterization of what people were saying. I don’t recall a single person who said that knowing something was a Nazi tattoo and getting it was okay. Well do we know he knew it was rape at the time? /s ---
**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 6, 2026, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-defending-graham-platner-are-pathetic-and-intellectually-bankrupt/1030839/246 "2026-07-06T20:57:35Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > Well do we know he knew it was rape at the time? Yup, joke about rape. I don’t expect any better from you. ---
**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:** [July 6, 2026, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-defending-graham-platner-are-pathetic-and-intellectually-bankrupt/1030839/247 "2026-07-06T21:01:20Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > Yup, joke about rape. I don’t expect any better from you Yep, you’re more bothered by jokes than by serious defences of Nazi abusers. You’re far more concerned with finger wagging at me rather than challenging people like Smapti who are insisting the rapist Nazi is still better than Collins. I don’t expect any better from you. ---
**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:** [July 6, 2026, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-defending-graham-platner-are-pathetic-and-intellectually-bankrupt/1030839/248 "2026-07-06T21:04:21Z")
Hey @Atamasama you wanna finger wag at @Chronos too? He made the same exact joke in the other thread. > [@Are there any reasons to reject Graham Platner in Maine](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-reasons-to-reject-graham-platner-in-maine/1028179/1402): > > To be fair, is there any evidence that he knew at the time that rape was bad? ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-defending-graham-platner-are-pathetic-and-intellectually-bankrupt/1030839/249 "2026-07-06T21:06:32Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > But you’re interested in hearing why people don’t like rapists? I’m interested to know why people who were insisting that nothing mattered except defeating Susan Collins the Fascist have suddenly changed their tune. We were reliably told that we had to hold our nose and look past all the red flags because SCOTUS. Are SCOTUS nominations and Senate control now negotiable because of a rape allegation? I happen to agree, but I’d like to hear that admission from people who apparently just got there today, because they were confidently singing a different tune last week. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-defending-graham-platner-are-pathetic-and-intellectually-bankrupt/1030839/250 "2026-07-06T21:07:59Z")
Because rape is worse than drunkenly getting a Nazi tattoo with your marine buddies. ---
**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 6, 2026, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-defending-graham-platner-are-pathetic-and-intellectually-bankrupt/1030839/251 "2026-07-06T21:09:05Z")
> [@ZosterSandstorm](#): > > > [@Thing.Fish](#): > > > > It’s technically possible that he could withdraw within the next week and be replaced on the ballot. If he chooses not to do so, then (feel free to crank the volume to “deafening” for this next bit) we have to vote for him anyway to deny Republican control. > > Not to condescend to someone who has the incredible political instincts of a Graham Platner supporter, but one of the reasons you don’t send a rapist to the Senate even if you agree with him about the Jewish Question Did you just accuse Thing.Fish of being in favor of the genocide of the Jews? ---
**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 6, 2026, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-defending-graham-platner-are-pathetic-and-intellectually-bankrupt/1030839/252 "2026-07-06T21:09:07Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > Hey @Atamasama you wanna finger wag at @Chronos too? He made the same exact joke in the other thread. Yes, just as disgusting. Fuck you @Chronos. > [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > I’m interested to know why people who were insisting that nothing mattered except defeating Susan Collins the Fascist have suddenly changed their tune. We were reliably told that we had to hold our nose and look past all the red flags because SCOTUS. I would be curious about that, too. If someone was literally saying “nothing mattered” then that’s a good question. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-defending-graham-platner-are-pathetic-and-intellectually-bankrupt/1030839/253 "2026-07-06T21:11:47Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > Because rape is worse than drunkenly getting a Nazi tattoo with your marine buddies. But Susan Collins is still a fascist helping fascists, isn’t she? Has that changed? ---
**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 6, 2026, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-defending-graham-platner-are-pathetic-and-intellectually-bankrupt/1030839/254 "2026-07-06T21:12:31Z")
Susan Collins is a fascist helping fascists. That’s much worse than someone wearing a tattoo. That’s much less bad than a rapist who calls his victim a liar. ---
**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:** [July 6, 2026, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-defending-graham-platner-are-pathetic-and-intellectually-bankrupt/1030839/255 "2026-07-06T21:13:42Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > Yes, just as disgusting. Fuck you @Chronos. Still nothing about the people defending Platner, of course. Predictably disgusting. ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-defending-graham-platner-are-pathetic-and-intellectually-bankrupt/1030839/256 "2026-07-06T21:14:06Z")
I understand this is a very complicated trolley problem for some. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-defending-graham-platner-are-pathetic-and-intellectually-bankrupt/1030839/257 "2026-07-06T21:14:31Z")
This has become the oddest conversation. The previous stuff was weird, stupid shit, but this is a rape allegation. Somehow, those attacking Platner can’t see the difference. @HMS_Irruncible, if he had murdered someone, I also wouldn’t continue to defend Platner. That’s because murder is also worse than getting a stupid, drunken tattoo. ETA: God, the people attacking Platner for the stupid shit are practically gleeful that this woman was raped. ---
**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:** [July 6, 2026, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-defending-graham-platner-are-pathetic-and-intellectually-bankrupt/1030839/258 "2026-07-06T21:14:54Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Hopefully he pulls the trigger. Because as we learned in 2024, dropping out after securing the nomination is a GREAT idea that will work out for the best in the long run. I look forward to his replacement campaigning alongside Olympia Snowe, voicing unquestioning support for Israel, and promising to stand firm with DNC leadership, then saying they ran a perfect campaign after they lose by 15 points. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-defending-graham-platner-are-pathetic-and-intellectually-bankrupt/1030839/259 "2026-07-06T21:17:14Z")
He’s definitely dropping out. You don’t “take time to reflect” on a campaign and then stay in. ---
**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:** [July 6, 2026, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-defending-graham-platner-are-pathetic-and-intellectually-bankrupt/1030839/260 "2026-07-06T21:18:08Z")
Or maybe it will be Troy Jackson and he’ll win. Better than a rapist candidate. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-defending-graham-platner-are-pathetic-and-intellectually-bankrupt/1030839.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-defending-graham-platner-are-pathetic-and-intellectually-bankrupt/1030839.md?page=14)