CounterPunch Exclusives

CounterPunch Exclusives

I’ve been following the Maine Senate race between Graham Platner (D) and Susan Collins (R). I’ve identified as a Democrat all my life (while keeping my political views out of the mix while serving as a Justice on Montana’s non-partisan Supreme Court). But I have to say character matters—especially his.

Graham Platner is exactly the type of candidate our Congress has too many of already—on both sides of the aisle: people with little moral character; extreme views; homophobic; racist; and who cannot tell the truth with a straight face.

The New York Times has reported accounts from several of Platner’s ex-girlfriends describing physical abuse.  One woman, for example, described Platner grabbing her in ways that left marks, and on one occasion, locking her in a room.  It was also reported that he juggled sexting relationships with six different women while he was married.

Then there’s the matter of a tattoo on his chest resembling a Nazi death’s head symbol–something he denies as being fascist, and just something he got 20 years ago on shore leave as a drunk Marine.

Platner has posted that rural Americans are “racist and stupid” and that “all cops are bastards.”

Referring to his previously unearthed offensive posts, Platner stated: “But I think what’s really important to note here is that these are things that I talk about in my past — things that I am not proud of — but it is a past that I had to go through to get where I am today.”

Really!? One has to physically abuse women, engage in sexually perverted conduct and sport a racist, fascist tattoo to win a U.S. Senate race?  This should be a disqualifying past life not a qualifying........

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