Folks, I’m sipping my coffee and trying to wrap my head around this one. Graham Platner, the Senate candidate from Maine, is apparently trying to figure out how to bow out of the race without completely tanking the movement he built. I mean, it’s not like he has a lot of options at this point, considering the whole rape allegation thing. Bless their hearts, the people behind his candidacy are trying to navigate this mess without making it worse. As of this morning, Platner was still deciding how to announce his decision, which could come via a recorded video later today.
I’m reading that support for the Democratic nominee in the Senate race basically collapsed this week after the allegation surfaced. You can’t make this stuff up – a woman he used to date came forward with some pretty serious claims, and now his whole campaign is in jeopardy. Platner said he would “reflect on the best path forward” for his Senate bid, which is just a fancy way of saying he’s trying to figure out how to save face.
Apparently, one of his top strategists, Morris Katz, is meeting with him in Maine today to discuss the situation. Katz has already told associates that he doesn’t think Platner can stay in the race, given the allegations against him. I mean, it’s not like he has a lot of wiggle room here. Someone close to the campaign told CNN that “this could – and should – end today,” which is just a nice way of saying it’s time to throw in the towel.
Now, there’s a big question looming over all of this – what happens if Platner does leave the race? Will he and his supporters get to play a role in choosing the next Democratic nominee? Under Maine law, the party has until July 27 to name a replacement, so they’ve got some time to figure it out. But the Maine Democratic Party is already saying that Platner’s campaign should have no say in the process, which is probably for the best.
Party officials are meeting with lawyers to work through the details of a potential nominating process, but they’re not saying what the plan is yet. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see how this all plays out. Somewhere in Atlanta, a producer thought this sounded terrifying, so they’re probably going to milk this story for all it’s worth.
In conclusion, it’s been a wild ride in Maine politics this week, and it’s not over yet. Graham Platner’s campaign is on life support, and it’s only a matter of time before he officially drops out of the race. As I finish my coffee, I’m left thinking that this is just another example of how politics can be a real circus. And honestly, I’m a little surprised that Platner’s campaign didn’t see this coming – I mean, who didn’t think that a rape allegation would be a problem? Oh well, I guess that’s why I’m just a guy drinking coffee and reading the news, and not a politician.
Armchair patriot. Believes in the free market, cold beer, and that there’s always a guy named George behind every CNN segment.
Former remote-throwing champion turned #1 couch commentator on liberal panic in the media. Born in Texas (or so his mug says), he earned a degree in Fake Newsology & Beer Philosophy from YouTube University.
