Democrat denies reports of physical intimidation towards women, saying his past has been ‘weaponized’

The Democratic US senate candidate Graham Platner on Friday predicted that Maine’s voters would support him four days later in his party primary despite a string of controversies – including recent negative headlines about his treatment of women that he said had been “weaponized”.

In a 25-minute speech before supporters in Bar Harbor, the oyster farmer and US marine combat veteran addressed the controversies around his personal conduct, which escalated on Thursday with a New York Times report in which three former romantic partners described disturbing behavior, including being physically intimidated by him.

“When hurtful things I said on the internet a decade ago came out into the public, as I shared my personal journey through PTSD and darkness, of recovery and accountability and growth, Maine had my back,” Platner said at the rally. “Now, as every single piece of that past and journey gets dug up, litigated and weaponized, you have my back.”

  • Mister_Hangman@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    15
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    2 days ago

    Dude it’s because he poses a serious critical existential threat to the neocon/neoliberal establishment that has hold of the Democratic Party. If everyday Dave here can win a prestigious senate seat and out incumbent wet noodle Collins it poses a real risk to the absolute medocre status quo that has carefully and strategically been propped up over the past 40 years to keep people from actually thinking the government can be made up of actual working class people.

    He may be flawed as shit but if he is anti Schumer and jefferies, anti AIPAC, and anti-corporate lobbying.

    Oh boy he’s gonna be a handful.

    They don’t want more of this. They want to stamp it out before more people get uppity. They can’t afford to have people believe government can actually work.

    • JigglySackles@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      7
      ·
      2 days ago

      If we never give real people, flawed people, the chance to prove themselves and try their program, all we will have left are the people rich enough to look clean or not care about looking clean.

      Everyone has problematic things. And I’m not saying to ignore their pasts, but evaluate them beside their faults as well as with. And someone like planter to me, isn’t a perfect candidate. Considering his problematic issues from the past I’d say he’s a bit risky even.

      But looking at his proposed platform, and looking at the festering incumbent he’s trying to oust, the potential risks with him are still looking better than Collins.

      Kinda says a lot about Collins shitty character.

      • Mister_Hangman@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        5
        ·
        2 days ago

        What sold me on him was Jon Stewart’s one hour podcast with him. Go listen to it. I was like holy shit this dude could be fake but damn if I’m wrong. I hope he wins.