I'm not a big Platner fan, nor do I think progressives poop ice cream, but

[Jersey Devil]

wtf are DUers, who are supposed to be gung ho Democrats, so obviously trying to lob bombs in the path of a nominated Democrat for the US Senate whose election is crucial to gaining a Senate majority?

[walkingman]

1. No worries - Dems will vote BLUE, and Independents will vote BLUE because it will be the best choice.

[regnaD kciN]

2. Because, for some Democrats...

…”Vote Blue No Matter Who” only works in one direction.

[rogue emissary]

37. Last election showed us that's all Democrats.

[Jersey Devil]

4. So you know the absolute truth by consulting with your Captain Video Secret Decoder Ring?

I guess that rules out a sudden jump in the polls showing Platner now up by 4 as a motive for trying another smear campaign?

[dsc]

8. He improved within the MOE

not exactly a huge jump. We now have two women who have come forward with on the record, named accusations against him. Just how many should we have before we accept the obvious. The guy with a NAZI tattoo who denigrated rape victims on public fora has a real problem with women.

[Jersey Devil]

24. That would make him a Nazi Serial Rapist according to your post

He has not been criminally accused by anyone, nor civilly accused like Trump, yet based on these naked accusations you have declared him guilty. Trial by Politico, a new one on me.

Call me old fashioned, but I believe no one should be labeled without some kind of due process, which in this case some have concluded that he has no right to defend himself. If anything is "Nazi", that should be it.

[OGBuzz]

41. Smells like a smear job b/c Republicans know they are about to lose a senate seat. How about Platner

and his accusers all take a polygraph test. This latest accuser admits that she was in a consensual relationship with Platner.

[EdmondDantes_]

53. The next thing you know we're going to hear from married women that they can be raped by their husbands

Perhaps if you weren't too busy smearing the victim you'd have bothered to read she immediately ended the relationship after he attacked her, and told others in 2023.

Just because someone consented before doesn't mean they consented later.

[OGBuzz]

59. Like I said earlier, make them both take a polygraph test, the one that refuses is lying. I have no skin in

the game but after reading the entire story I am still skeptical.

[MichMan]

134. How do you make someone take a polygraph test ?

[SamuelAdams]

60. Is she psychic?

These wrote about this in emails and told multiple people years ago. It clearly isn't political. She didn't ask for money or try to ruin his life with the allegations. What motive did she have to lie? I bet you believe Platner is too sick to attend events like he said. I'm sure that has nothing to do with this, right?

[onenote]

63. So were you upset with Kavanaugh being labeled

based on accusations not tested in court?

I wasn’t.

[MichMan]

123. And his accusations dated back 25 years from when he was in HS.

[infullview]

112. Not to mention no physical evidence to support thier claim

Politico "journalist" was on Morning Joe and said very clearly that she was unable to present anything other than her emails complaining to other people. I contend this woman was never mentally stable and wanted attention and sympathy. I live in Maine, it's a poor state, and there are a lot of mentally damaged people in the hinterlands.

[MichMan]

137. That's a good take. I sure someone will take that and run with it.

Not only are women who make rape accusations branded as liars and opportunists, but they are also mentally unstable? What does that say about Platner in that he chose to have a relationship with her?

[obamanut2012]

17. And? Swalwell was a shoo-in for CA gov

[mcar]

34. Yeah. So why did we believe his alleged victims

but not Platner's?

[MichMan]

125. California was going to elect a Democratic governor, regardless if it was Swalwell or someone else, so he was expendable

Not the case in Maine

[mcar]

131. So Maine should go with a very flawed candidate

who is credibly accused of rape?

[MichMan]

133. I'm not defending him, just stating why some people were harsher on Swalwell.

[sop]

130. Swalwell apologized for past "mistakes in judgement" and withdrew from the race.

If Platner withdraws and makes the same kind of statement, we'll know his accuser's story is true.

[EdmondDantes_]

22. Because we don't only believe victims when it's convenient

Victims lie about SA at a very low rate. Clearly she was very devious telling multiple others about it in 2023 just in case Platner ever ran for office.

[Jersey Devil]

31. Are you so naive that you believe there are no political hit jobs?

Sure, some are valid, but also sure some are not. It's not a question of convenience. It's a question of due process. Unless a formal accusation is made and both sides get the opportunity to state their cases there should be no conclusions drawn. That is the basis of our justice system.

[Torchlight]

61. I don't think accepting an alleged victim's word implies

a corollary belief that conspiracies and hit jobs don't exist.

[AZ8theist]

86. I 100% agree with your point...

However, in today's social media, 20 msec electronic age it sometimes no longer applies.
Confirmation bias coupled with the division in our country just gets people "convicted" in seconds without ever looking more than an inch deep into the facts.

Who was it that said "A lie goes around the world 7 times before the truth gets out of bed"?

That's what we have in today's world.

[Bengus81]

111. Dem Senator Gary Condit comes to mind.

[3Hotdogs]

98. I wsa going to ask how you knew about the Decoder ring and then I saw you were from N.J.

I had one.

Poor Al Hodge. After the show folded, he couldn't get acting work. He died with his last employment being as a security guard.

If you recall Capt. Video's secret mountain lodge..... It looks suspiciously like the outcrop along Exit 16 of the New Jersey Turnpike.

[Katinfl]

5. Calling him a serial rapist is a bit harsh at this point. He's had problems for sure but..........

Kavanaugh is on the Supreme Court, and look who’s in the WH. Need a lot more info.

[TVguyCards]

7. What? A serial rapist?

What in all things Friday have I missed?

[BannonsLiver]

12. A woman has accused him of raping her 6 years ago, he has denied it.

That’s the cliff notes version obviously

[TVguyCards]

25. Aye yay yay

/ack!

[pat_k]

13. No "serial" about it. But the story is bad.

New report of drunken Platner forcing himself on the woman who previously reported the "unsettling" behavior when she dated him.

I think he is likely to drop out before the deadline to pick a new nominee.

Depressing as hell.

My opinion doesn't matter, but I'd be a hell of a lot happier if they picked David Costello over Mills. I just don't see people getting excited about Mills. Costello was gaining ground when the first NYT reports dropped. There just wasn't enough time before the primary for people to take a closer look at him.

[paleotn]

21. We've been over this

It made zero difference in the primary. Neither has the draw Platner has. This was vetted and made no difference. His primary numbers speak for themselves.

[pat_k]

27. This is a lot worse than "unsettling" behavior.

An answer to previous reports was that no one was accusing him of a crime.

This changes that.

[Deminpenn]

33. Wait, so her "unsettling" behavior allegation

wasn't enough to take down Platner, so now she has upped her game with this new allegation?

FTR, saying this as one, women are perfectly capable of being cunning and conniving to achieve their objective.

[pat_k]

36. True or not, I doubt he can survive this.

But what do I know??

[Deminpenn]

39. Maybe if this was a new allegation, but

to me, it has all the hallmarks of the accuser not achieving her objective with her initial allegation and now upping her ante.

The Rs and Dem establishment are terrified of Platner because he is charismatic and has a winning, populist message. He is definitely going to upset the cozy relationship the establishment has with itself apple cart.

[pat_k]

56. Yes, it has some of the hallmarks of a smear campaign.

Maybe he can tough it out, but I think this may be too much for many.

[SamuelAdams]

73. She made these allegations years ago to friends and her therapist.

For this to be a political hit job would require her to be psychic. She would have had to know years ago Platner would become the Democratic nominee for Senate.

[MichMan]

127. Someone who has never held elected office of any kind as well

[OGBuzz]

52. 27 women publicly accusing Trump of everything from sexual harassment, to sexual assault, to rape didn't hurt him

much. Somehow Trump always gets a free pass. By the way, has he paid E. Jean Carroll the $5 million plus interest yet? Or is he going to keep appealing and hoping he outlives her? My money is on E. Jean, she looks to be in great shape.

[pat_k]

54. I know, but Democrats hold their candidates to higher standards.

[onenote]

65. Would you vote for a Democrat who had 27 women accusing him of sexual misconduct

If what Trump got away with is the standard would 28 be a bridge too far?

[OGBuzz]

75. I absolutely would not. But it's a helluva condemnation of about 1/2 the country who did, isn't it?

[onenote]

76. Yes it is a condemnation of them.

[BannonsLiver]

80. That depends, would the Republican opponent be someone like Ken Paxton?

lol I’m totally kidding. Probably.

[Jack Valentino]

100. EVERY REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE for public office

is someone 'like' Ken Paxton !!!!!!!

[Cha]

101. He's already laid out conditions for his withdrawal

as you probably already know.

He must think they're very credible, along with all the other Dems like Ro Khana, who has retracted his endorsement.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=21355431

[mcar]

109. The ego on this guy. Laying out conditions?

He's credibly accused of rape but still thinks he's driving the car.

[DFW]

104. I think "true or not" ought to be THE deciding factor

For the record, I never liked the guy. I far preferred Janet Mills, whose major sin consisted of the birth year listed on her driver's license. But Al Franken was taken down by a Republican prank that turned out to be a stray bullet that found its mark. "Heroes" like Kamala Harris, Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders all tripped over themselves calling for Al to resign from the Senate when there was no shred of solid evidence that Al had molested anyone (probably because he hadn't). Now, they are all calling for Platner to bow out (no tears from me, but there has to be a solid reason, or else we're just doing a repeat performance). If there is solid evidence to back the allegations up, then he should indeed disappear. Indeed, he never should have been a candidate in the first place, and Bernie Sanders etc. had no business endorsing him without checking him out first. If there is NO such evidence forthcoming, then, much as I dislike him, he should stand tall and face the accusations and call BS.

From the way he is reacting, and even attaching conditions to any quitting, that is NOT the reaction of someone who has nothing to fear from further investigation. But let's see what he DOES do before laying it out for him first. We have not walked a mile in his shoes (I wouldn't want to, frankly), so we have to wait and see (I figured by the end of the week at the latest) how he reacts to the allegations as stated.

[Wiz Imp]

47. Costello gaining ground?

He got all of 8% of the vote. He never gained any traction whatsoever.

[Bumbles]

81. I'm a Mainer and never received campaign information from or about David Costello.

I had to search for it. When I read his bio I was impressed. He's someone I could support - if I'd known about him.

[paleotn]

15. Gee thanks for helping out Susan Collins

Got data to support that claim?

[dsc]

26. Well we now have two women who have publicly come forward with accounts

of in one case scary domestic violence and in the other out and out rape. And I tend to believe both of them.

[paleotn]

29. Old news. Where ya been?

It made zero diff in the primary.

[AloeVera]

48. "Scary domestic violence"? I missed that. What was it exactly? nt

[Emile]

50. I believe a person is innocent until proven guilty. I assume you don't.

[onenote]

69. Does that apply to everyone or just Democrats?

Do you think the allegations against Kavanaugh were irrelevant?

[Emile]

71. No, was their a trial?

[onenote]

78. There was no trial, so under your standard, that makes Kavanaugh innocent and

the allegations against him should have been ignored, right?

[Emile]

84. All I'm saying is a person innocent until proven guilty.

[Emile]

85. All I'm saying is a person innocent until proven guilty.

[pat_k]

6. If he drops out I think David Costello would be a better pick than Mills.

Just thought I'd note that.

But I imagine Mills will be the "default" pick, but there were others making the case for Costello when the NYTimes "unsettling" reports dropped. I think if there had been more time before the primary, he would have gained ground.

[obamanut2012]

11. I think Mills has a better chance agai st Collins

But I like him a lot.

[paleotn]

18. Given her polling? Forget about it

[BannonsLiver]

23. Yeah she excites literally no one.

This is going to be an L, in all likelihood. Six more years for Captain Concerned.

[paleotn]

28. Well, it isn't like Platner hasn't been weathering this storm so far

This isn’t news. This was vetted in the primary. His numbers, both votes for and Dem turnout, speak for themselves.

[BannonsLiver]

32. You may be right. The same thought occurred to me. We'll find out in a few months.

[obamanut2012]

35. Yes and no, i won't

[paleotn]

87. Susan Collins sends her thanks!

And asks for more Dems like you.

[BannonsLiver]

9. Because they want him to lose?

I’m always wary of “I hope I’m wrong posts” because, generally speaking, when people write that they quietly hope they are proven right. Human nature.

I expect they will probably get their wish. I wasn’t sure he was a shoe in before this latest mess. It’s a pity Maine voters were left to choose between a very weird guy with a checkered past and a 400 year old governor who is dull as dishwater to carry the mantle. We gotta get more talented as a party when it comes to candidates, it’s just that simple. This is utterly pathetic.

[pat_k]

19. I think David Costello would have gained ground if there had been more time...

... between the NYT "unsettling" report and the primary.

I still think he'd be a better pick than Mills, but I don't live there, so my opinion is meaningless.

[obamanut2012]

10. He needs to drop out before July 13

So Mills or someone is on the ticket who has a chance.

Why are you not believing these allegations? Or taking them seriously?

[MustLoveBeagles]

14. I'll wait and see

Innocent until proven guilty. This is bad though.

[obamanut2012]

20. Swalwell

We knew what to do here in California, and we did it

[Drum]

16. I'm leaving it up to the voters in Maine to elect their representatives. nt

[Billsdaughter]

99. Exactly. The voters of Maine need to decide

their Democrat nominee. Janet Mills is an easily spelled name to write in.

[nycbos]

38. Well, I'm speaking for myself here...

I am a lifelong Democrat. I started volunteering on campaigns at 13, collecting signatures to get Bill Bradley on the ballot in New York when he ran for president. (Go Knicks.) I have worked on campaigns as both a volunteer and a paid staff member in six states at all levels of the ballot, from city council races to presidential elections. I've slept in strangers' basements. I've gotten on a plane to a different state to start work with 24 hours' notice. I am also Jewish. I am absolutely disgusted that the party I've been a member of my entire life is embracing a guy who literally had an SS tattoo. Something tells me that if it were a Confederate flag tattoo, he would've been ostracized and rightly so. I do not trust him as far as I could throw him.

[RoeVWade]

40. Fast rising populist candidates NEED GOOD VETTING. DAMMIT.

I'm assuming this is probably toasting him. Unless something comes out that discredits what I'm hearing, I just think it's sounding awful.

[danieljsf]

42. Democrats love virtue signaling more than winning.

We are at war with a fascist takeover of our country by Republicans. We can't afford to be better than they are. We need to be ruthless to win back the House and Senate.

[Skittles]

44. is that what you call rape?

virtue signaling?

[niyad]

90. Unreal, is it not?

[BannonsLiver]

64. Broadly speaking you are correct, though this particular case is not a very good example of that.

[orangecrush]

43. Ask Al Franken

[Nanjeanne]

45. I'm afraid this is going to be the end of the Platner unless there's something we aren't aware of yet. A new candidate

needs to be found quickly and someone with the progressive commitment to get people excited w/o the baggage. The policies are going to be the only thing that will save this potential seat. If they choose someone "safe" vs bold it's all over for winning the seat.

[Torchlight]

46. My guess is

more than a few are feeling anxious and uneasy at this development, knowing the stakes of senate control are potentially on the line, thinking it's no less irrational to dismiss the story out of hand as it is to assert its absolute veracity out of hand.

But that's just a guess...

[Jacson6]

51. Today he has canceled three town halls.

I don't think there is any one on DU that can pump him up.

[dave99]

55. Damn Fucking Republicans !!! They need to be rid of

[obamanut2012]

66. Platner isn't a Republican

Nor is his accuser.

[dave99]

83. The dirt being thrown is by Republicans

[lapucelle]

91. No it's not. N/T

[mcar]

108. Proof?

[agingdem]

57. A few things..

Platner is a DNC fuck-up…when he threw his hat in the ring the DNC should have vetted the hell out of him…they didn’t…the Nazi tattoo should have been red flag #1..

And as for Dems eating their own…absolutely…as much as I loathe Republicans they don’t trash their candidates which is why pigs like Trump and Paxton and all the other GOP slime gets elected…

[MorbidButterflyTat]

82. Seems to me

this guy has been "trashing" himself!

[themaguffin]

103. He's not a DNC fuck up. He's a fuck up.

[Blasphemer]

58. It's not about lobbing bombs, it's about having been persistently "poo poo-ed" after voicing legitimate concerns

The writing was on the wall months ago. Many of us were persistently attacked, had posts removed, or risked being tombstoned for pointing out that all the available evidence pointed to him being a highly problematic candidate on top of having had no prior experience that would have allowed for previously vetting. Now we're attacked for having being rightfully skeptical. I want the party to do better. I want the party to win the Maine Senate seat. I don't want the party to become the MAGA of the left by blindly supporting candidates despite egregious failings and insufficient experience.

[obamanut2012]

68. Exactly

[BannonsLiver]

72. LOL I don't think you have to worry about a leftward version of MAGA

Hell this party hasn’t completely coalesced around anything or anyone in nearly 40 years. Even when Obama won the Puma assholes made a lot of noise. Nah we’ll continue to do what we do.

[SamuelAdams]

62. Sadly this apparently comes as a shock here, but some people actually care about sexual assualt.

We aren't willing to pretend alcohol makes you racist, women are all out to get him, allegations told to her therapist years ago are fake just because a Democrat is accused. You either care about these issues or you don't. Are all the Trump, Cosby, Judge Roy Moore, Harvey Weinstein accusers who waited to come forward liars too?

[obamanut2012]

70. Thanks

Posters literally said she works for Roger Stone. Wtf

Raciot is actually a liberal, too.

[Jersey Devil]

94. I don't understand how the therapist is relevant

According to the Politico story the therapist did not comment.

[efhmc]

67. This none of my business Texan wonder where are the Dems who should have done a deeper investigation of this known

flawed candidate? I think he would be a good representative but no can do. You know the last two great Dem candidates were solidly family men. Although Biden was thought to be a bit of a party guy before Jill. With Joe that probably means he stayed up past 12 and got hair plugs.

[Raftergirl]

74. He gave me the creeps from the get go. But I don't vote in Maine, so little I could do about it. I always believe

the women.

There have been huge red flags since he got in the race.

Just because the other party embraces their rapists, doesn’t mean we should, too.

[Keepthesoulalive]

77. There were warning signs

He had no experience in government and anyone who has been paying attention knows they will bring up your mother’s sex life it will help them stay in power. Your mom may have had a divine intervention birth ,they would then move over to your aunt. Republicans play dirty and the media helps them. Mr Platner should have been ready, he was not. He was vetted by many dems but some folks didn’t want to hear it.

[Stargleamer]

79. Unlike Republicans who eagerly elect the rapist POS, there's stuff we Democrats. . .

or many of us anyhow, just don't tolerate. Nor should we.

[AloeVera]

88. Platner claims coordination and coaching by "establishment operatives"

Platner categorically denied Racicot's allegations. “These allegations are troubling, serious, and false. Any accusation of non-consensual behavior is categorically untrue.”

His campaign also alleged that political opponents were coordinating attacks against him ahead of ballot deadlines.

In a statement, the campaign said, “These allegations are very serious and Graham vigorously denies them. They are also coached and coordinated by out of state establishment operatives.”

https://www.timesnownews.com/world/us/us-news/graham-platner-hit-with-new-scandal-who-is-jenny-racicot-and-what-are-her-allegations-against-maine-democrat-article-154952611

[obamanut2012]

92. She has receipts, this is very credible

Blaming "outside operatives" is gross of him. We all know what he means.

[AloeVera]

93. Could both things not be true?

Or that doesn't matter now that he's been tried, convicted and hung out to dry?

[obamanut2012]

116. No, they can't both be true

Your victim blaming, along with many other DUers', has been noted.

[AloeVera]

120. Your baseless accusations are noted.

Unless somehow Platner victimized the "establishment operatives" then you cannot accuse me of victim blaming.

I also asked could not BOTH things be true. Did you miss that part?

Never mind.

[BannonsLiver]

135. You aren't concerned that it's been noted?

I mean that could result in a harshly worded letter or something else like a stern talking to.

.

[AloeVera]

136. I am very concerned. As much as Susan Collins.

Thanks for the laugh.

[BannonsLiver]

139. You're welcome. I can only hope this doesn't end up on your permanent record.

[ZDU]

89. Democrats. They get my vote. Period.

p.s. I really like Bernie yet I understand this is a DemocraticUnderground.... just sayin'

[Miami Blue]

95. Platner is fully responsible for his alleged actions however,

Corrupt Susan Collins, is the same US Senator who was the decisive 49th vote for the confirmation of the infamous Drunkard and alleged Rapist Brett Kavanaugh, aka Mr. I Liked Beers/ Still like Beers to the Supreme Court.

And please don't ignore the fact that Susan Collins has voted 96% for the pedo-rapist-traitor and his Communist agenda. That includes the destruction of our democracy in America.

Furthermore, Susan Collins also voted for the confirmation of Cara de Pendejo Neil Gorsuch and the drunkard /rapist. The two mofos who told deceitful stuff under oath to the members
of the US Congress.
Most importantly, these are the two
conservative Supreme Court Justices whom
she voted for and the ones who made the dreadful decision to overturn Roe v Wade in 2022.

But now that the Corrupt Granny Susan aka Shaky Susan, (a corrupt person who has been
in Congress for 30 years ) is now scared
of being unseated for being a corrupt MAGA KKKultist.
And for being a bootlicker of the Corrupt and
un-American agenda of her good buddy PedoTraitorTrump.

Now she is using millions of dollars from her coffers to attack Graham Platner. She is trying
to specifically characterize Platner as an plausible rapist. When in reality, Graham Platner hasn't been convicted of any alleged criminality.

Btw, a study assessed that thousands of women
are dying from unsafe abortions. Sadly, this is
a very preventable cause of maternal mortality.

However, all of these horrible things have been happening because of Corrup Susan Collins ' votes. And because Corrupt Susan Collins likes to please an adjudicated pedophile and rapist, who was accused of raping a 13-year-old who declared that under oath according to the Southern District of N.Y. This young woman allegedly was raped by Don the Con at the Manhattan mansion of Jeffrey Epstein back
in 1994 when he was almost 50 years old.

And of course, this is the precise felon who openly says that he likes to grab them by the 🐈

This is the little man whom Susan Collins
happily exonerated during his first impeachment proceedings, in 2020, and the exact orange piece of shit/lawbreaker/ Pedophile / Rapist and wanna be Communist tyrant,
Don the Con.
🖕🏻

[WinningAgain]

96. This situation is Platners and the DNC's doing.

We can only vote on the candidates we are given.

[Jersey Devil]

97. DNC didn't give us Platner

The DNC pushed for Mills.

[AverageOldGuy]

102. Why are we at this point?

The onus for this goddam train wreck is on the Maine Democratic Party and the DNC.

If either of them were serious about unseating Collins, they could have found a better candidate than (1) a 70-something reluctant lady and (2) a Pete Hegseth look-alike.,

[Jersey Devil]

105. Go back to Will Rogers for the answer

“I belong to no organized party; I am a Democrat.”

Democrats seem to allow anyone who wants to run to jump into a race for a nomination. There really is no "vetting". In my experience (and I have had plenty in NJ) the only thing they look for in a candidate is the ability to self-finance a campaign should the party decide not to invest money in that particular race. Otherwise it's a free for all.

[MarcoZandrini]

106. Before....

…we make any decision or start calling for Platner to step aside, let’s find out if there’s any truth to the woman’s claims.

[Jughead]

107. I'm sick of this

I have been a life long Democrat and am sick of this holier than thou bullshit from the Democratic Party.
Accusations are not guilty verdicts. If he is guilty so be it he needs to drop out but my God just stop the fake pureness act by the Democrats.

[Iggo]

110. I've been holier than him at least three different ways over the last year..

Like I’ve said quite a few times, I’m glad I don’t have to vote for him. They should have gotten rid of him before the primary, and I said that, too. But I had my posts hidden and was nearly tombstoned for it.

You guys wanted him. And you got him. Now live with it like the rest of us have to.

[obamanut2012]

114. wow

[BannonsLiver]

138. It presents opportunities for histrionics and grandstanding.

Graham Platner is a POS and a lot of people who don’t like him in the first place are having their wittle main character look at me moment to see who can appear the most outraged. It’s been pretty entertaining tbh.

[Flash953]

113. What are the rules in Maine. Can someone else be the nominee after the run off?

Does anyone know what the rules are in Maine?

[obamanut2012]

115. As long as he drops by July 13, yes

Soemone else can be on the ballot in the GE. But, it must be done by July 13.

[marcopolo63]

117. Question - If Platner did sexually assault Ms. Racicot...

…in a drunken stupor back in 2021, but doesn’t remember it and she never clearly told him what he did to her against her will, is it a done deal that he cannot explain his actions in some way, apologize to her (and everybody really) and remain in this race? Or Is there just absolutely zero room for him to continue as the candidate?

[Jersey Devil]

118. Does it really matter anymore?

DNC bigwigs have pulled their endorsements, stated they will not support him and maybe most importantly, said they wouldn''t spend any money on his campaign. So even if it turns out that the accusations are completely false how could he keep running an effective campaign?

[DemocracyForever]

119. The rape allegation is serious

and it includes strong corroborating evidence including text messages and additional people that the victim told about the assault. Dems can't attack Collins for her support of women abuser Trump with a candidate who's been credibly accused of abuse of women as well.

[Jersey Devil]

122. Strong corroborating evidence? Maybe, but maybe not

In the stories I have read she said she does not have the text messages and that they were deleted. So unless the phone company can produce them how can she prove that?

Also, as far as statements to her later boyfriend about the alleged rape, they are hearsay and can only be admitted into evidence if they qualify as contemporaneous utterances, an exception to the hearsay rule. To do so the statements have to be at or near the time of the event. In this case her statements were to her later boyfriend and also her therapist way after the event. Can a statement made to a friend a few years after an event be considered "contemporaneous"? I highly doubt it.

[DemocracyForever]

129. You don't understand

how difficult it is for rape victims to come forward because they're the ones who are put on trial. It can take years for a rape victim to even say that they were assaulted and years longer to begin the process to tell others about it and to eventually come forward. I'm really sick of how unjustly rape victims in our country are treated. It's long overdue for this to stop.

[Jersey Devil]

141. But I do understand

I agree with a lot of what you said, but I fully understand the rules of evidence as a lawyer and how difficult it is to admit hearsay as evidence. As difficult as it may be for rape victims to talk about their situations, for their hearsay statements to be accepted as evidence those statements must satisfy the rules of evidence.

[Envirogal]

121. Dirty tricks work on taking Dem candidates out

I am a woman and have been in similar situations with men, but to come out so late in the game when he has been in the national news for a long time is just suspect. I am not blindly loyal to my gender enough, and have also experienced sexual assault, to think that women can’t be part of a Republican scheme to take out a threat.

It is too late to shift gears at this point. Unlike Swalwell in California, which I also think was BS because he’s been at office for how long and now they decide to come after him, there was enough time and we had a too long of a list of candidates to choose from. (It still helped the R candidate Hilton’s position though when Swalwell was taken out.)

To act like women can’t be calculated or fall under the Republicans sway to help them is just naive. I “believe women” but coming out so late when the ballots are printed and the main competition suspended, is just part of the “October surprise” antics.

I know Dems are always supposed to be part of a higher standard and it has resulted in us losing time and time again position of power. You can’t put forward a progressive agenda if you don’t have power!!! I am all about power at this point… F morals and values when the other side doesn’t hold up the same standards and have an unfair advantage. We can put back morals and values in legislation and ethics controls of Congress once we get power. But we can’t do shit without power and that is what progressive and moral authorities don’t get about our system of government. I cannot sit by anymore and watch the decimation of our environmental and agency protections that are dismantling the infrastructure of this country because we have been neutered and don’t have the power.

Frankly, if America can vote for a felon rapist criminal grifter for president of the largest superpower, then Maine is fine sending someone that had been a shitty boyfriend in his past in office for their senator. One that also gave up a lot for his country and has tried to be a good man.

We didn’t care about Slick Willy when credible accusations came out about his dalliances. And yes, the R were behind that. It’s what they do. Screw them because we have to teach them a lesson that it no longer works, especially with their low bar for moral based candidacies.

Forgiveness and giving people a chance to contribute positively should still be allowed in the country still. The media will jump on this as they do. But we don’t have to be led by them when they are hypocritical on what they choose to focus on and give the R side so many passes.

Unless you are in Maine, you don’t really have a say in this anyway. But Platner seems like he would be a populist and maybe now even more humble if given a chance. That can be a very effective Senator.

[sop]

132. You make a lot of valid points.

I gave up voting for candidates based on "morals and values" a long time ago. I don't vote for someone because I "like" them, I vote for a candidate based solely on whether they will support a progressive agenda when elected. Republicans overlook the most disgusting and criminal behavior in their candidates so long as they enact conservative policies. Democrats also have to be more transactional when voting.

[Envirogal]

140. Unfortunately, the weak-kneed Dems took the bait

He’s not going to survive this. I doubt we will take Over-the -hill “concerned” Susan Collins out now.

We are victims to our morals-above-power goals.

And the environment and this next generation will suffer the consequences with the Federalist Society judges that the Senate are going to approve.

[RandySF]

126. He's toast.

[JustAnotherGen]

128. I never believed he was going to win in the first place

So less impact for me.

They may have to hold another Primary in the state.

He shouldn't be picking the Candidate. I've read and heard that it would an 'Establishment Dem' tactic if they allow Platner and Platner alone to select who will run in his place.