CBS Evening News anchor Tony Dokoupil questioned the Democratic Party's sustained support for former Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner, particularly in light of his recent suspension of his campaign following a rape allegation from a former girlfriend. Dokoupil noted that the party had previously endorsed Platner through multiple scandals.
During his report, Dokoupil raised the question of why the Democratic Party, which has championed movements like Black Lives Matter and Believe Women, continued to view Platner as a viable candidate. This support persisted despite past controversies, including Reddit comments questioning why Black people do not tip and a chest tattoo with historical ties to Nazism, as well as accusations of abuse against women. Platner had largely downplayed or denied these claims, and prominent Democratic voices had defended him.
Dokoupil suggested that the party's backing may have been primarily driven by Platner's electoral success, referencing his significant victory over the incumbent governor in the Democratic primary. This performance positioned him as the party's strongest contender to challenge Republican Senator Susan Collins.
Progressive strategist Daniel Moraff, who was initially involved in supporting Platner's campaign, commented on the desire for candidates outside the traditional political establishment. "I think we want people who didn't run for student council, right? We want people who have not been spending their entire lives planning their ascent to political power," Moraff stated in a recent Wall Street Journal interview.
Following the latest allegation against Platner, a significant number of Democratic politicians withdrew their support. Dokoupil concluded that the shift in stance was less about the nature of the scandal itself and more about the political feasibility of Platner's candidacy. The assertion was that Platner had committed an unforgivable offense in political terms: he began to appear like a losing candidate.
Platner announced his decision to suspend his Senate campaign on Wednesday. This move came after several influential Democratic figures, including Senator Bernie Sanders, urged him to step down. Reports indicate that Platner may delay filing formal paperwork to withdraw his name from the ballot until Monday, the final day to do so if the party intends to select a replacement. If Platner formally withdraws before the deadline, the Maine Democratic Party will have until July 27 to nominate a new candidate.