Organized Effort
National Democrats have tried to orchestrate the Maine U.S. Senate campaign from the start. They flocked to a perceived outsider candidate, Graham Platner, and forced a long-time state officeholder out before the primary. Every time stories came out challenging Platner’s background or behavior, they were tamped down before the spark became a flame. Even Smokey Bear would be proud of how effective they were at snuffing out those embers.
Within 24 hours, however, that all changed with what the formerly mainstream media is calling “new allegations of sexual assault”. The same national Democrats who unequivocably gave full-throated support now say he should drop out of the race because of this “newly discovered” material.
One problem with that, however…it’s not really “newly discovered”. The woman’s story was already included in a New York Times piece along with other allegations—allegations the Times dismissed because one of the individuals was a Republican.
More media outlets are re-examining the previously reported claim, with the woman herself telling a quite compelling story. That part is good, but the timing is interesting.
The only thing that changed from when the allegations first surfaced and now is that Platner’s stock in the polls has dropped, and he’s no longer the best choice to flip the seat from red to blue. While outwardly pious politicians gravely say these supposedly new allegations change things…what changed was his ability to win, and what was dismissed previously is now a reason to push him aside.
And they have to do it quickly; if he withdraws within the week, election rules in the state allow the party to select a new candidate for the November ballot. After that, they’re stuck with him.
If this sounds familiar—total support until it looks like an election is lost, then forcing a nominated candidate out so party poobahs can hand-select a replacement—well, yes…I’ve seen that movie before, too…and it didn’t turn out well for Democrats.
Ignore the issue of the actual merits of the candidate for a moment. The hypocrisy of those who crave power this badly is what should be the focus right now…and why you can’t trust their claims in the future.
