If true - he deserves accountability. If not true, then once again the GOP will succeed in smearing and cheating their way into another win. Either way, Susan may benefit from his dirt rather than her record.

Scandals from this dude.

My opinion doesn't matter, but I'd be a hell of a lot happier if they picked David Costello over Mills. I just don't see people getting excited about Mills. Costello was gaining ground when the first NYT reports dropped. There just wasn't enough time before the primary for people to take a closer look at him.

So, why don't you just hand it to Susan on a silver platter. A note of congratulations would be nice.

Campaigning in one state is a hell of a lot different that mounting a national campaign.

As QuietEm points out Maine will be OK. There are options. For example, Troy Jackson, Shenna Bellows, Joe Baldacci, or even David Costello

My only hope is that they DO NOT go with Mills.

They need someone who inspires the people inspired by Platner.

It sounds like Troy Jackson campaigned with Platner and may be a good choice to take the movement forward.

There is time between now and the general to gather support behind a new nominee in a single state.

But I recall almost being tombstoned before the primary for not wanting to vote for him citing these exact issues. But I was castigated for "purity testing" this guy, which I was not.

So don't blame me that everyone else was head over heals for a the guy, I was not and this is exactly why.

Shiny new object makes many leave the sensible choices behind.

I am not a Mainer but we spend at least one month every year there. We have dear friends in Rockport and often do the trip from Virginia to stay there. Maine is dear to my heart, I love the people, the food and the environment. I am only familiar with coastal maine.

Ont the coast, moved away in my early teens. Came back last year, now in the north woods and loving it. Coming home wasn't all that hard after all.

I voted in Maine for the first time this year and I was hoping for Mills to take the nomination. She is the only state-wide elected candidate who has won more than once. She said that all the 'novices' who had run against collins in the past lost to her.

If what's his name stays in, we'll see collins win again.

four within and hour. But that was then, this now and time for his fans to reflect on their enthusiasm for him. I feel vindicated, not happy about it but there it is.

Anyone checked her bank accounts lately?

Unless you've got some mystical pipeline to info no one but the accused and accuser has, it's all conjecture. And very helpful conjecture for Susan Collins AFTER the Dem primary. She made accusations prior. Why did she not come completely clean then? She had little reason not to. All I'm saying is stranger things have happened in politics. It would certainly be more than worth it for some if Republicans retained control of the Senate. Very, very much worth it.

The article says, "She told Politico she hesitated to make her claim public because she had a 'huge moral conflict' between supporting Platner’s politics and not supporting him as a person."

I can understand being hopeful about a primary outcome that would avoid having to go public.

Unless The New York Times suppressed it.

We can go round and round with this till doomsday. I don't know that and neither do you know what you're surmising. But boy there are some folks here with a level of "certainty" that makes me want to hit them up for stock picks. Veritable soothsayers.

But folks seem to enjoy helping out Susan Collins in any way they can.

Not sure what now.

What is certain is that Democrats will likely not take over the US Senate. I HOPE I'M WRONG!

It was pretty obvious that something like this would emerge as soon as he is the nominee.

Now, I don't judge whether or not it is true or a manufactured accusation like some will not doubt claim, the fact is , it was an obvious vulnerability.

I do tend to believe women in cases like this and from what is being described, the reporters did gather a number of corroboration.

Whether its an attempt to smear Platner or not, its going to significantly alter the race.

That's why you don't run newcomers with zero experience and a past with problematic behavior even if they are young and say the right things.

I can’t help but wonder how this has just emerged. Has the media been calling her after her initial comments? There is a lot about this that is unsettling.

But no doubt others have...ever since the NYT story came out.

They are scared to death of him. Unless there is actual unmitigated proof, ignore and move on.

or just conditional?

It's conditional, same as it ever was.

"Unless there is actual unmitigated proof, ignore and move on"

ignore and move on sounds like the decision has been made.

So until it has......Democrats are playing into the hands of the Fascists if they fold the tent as a "precaution". Grow a damn spine! Ignore and move on.

Got any tips on where the NASDAQ is going this week as well? So many seem to know the unknowable, I had to ask.

At the moment I am neither accepting nor rejecting the allegations. I said as much in a different thread.

If what's being said is true and not a Republican hit job, than he very well may deserve his fate and Maine Dems will have to pick up the pieces as best they can. If not, many here are doing Republican work for them. Seems Dems are usually their own worst enemies. Pukes just seed the rhetoric and Dems do all the work. One wonders how we win any elections.

Because it often turns out they are on fire or going in the wrong direction.

Democrats do have a history of shooting ourselves in the foot. Sometimes supporting someone we shouldn't or not supporting someone we should

Now what was all that about equality and fairness?

I do not know not know what the evidence is however, there's plenty of people who've made up their mind the allegations are false without seeing any evidence either way.

I have seen a post that says it can only be true if he admits guilt. Is that the new, progressive ideal, a woman's allegations are false by default, until the man admits guilt?

Unless you're able to peer into people's hearts and minds. And while you're doing that, got any hot stock picks to share?

I put my money in a mutual fund and let an expert handle that. He's been doing very well for me lately.

I am awaiting, it's evidence, but it appears a certain group has decided she is a liar or a republican plant or looking for money or even if true, it just doesn't matter.

What type of proof would you like to see that would change your mind. A criminal conviction? A video tape of the rape?

Plattner will have to become a Republican.

on that MSNOW panel when it was announced as breaking news, I would have been sorely pressed not to pop her. Uggh. She automatically convicted him, concluded he should never have been considered as a candidate, and within seconds of this breaking news, had all but sentenced him. For everyone else just trying to absorb the story and collect their thoughts, it should have been a jarring kneejerk reaction. It was certainly ugly as hell to me, even though I will express some similar thoughts here now. The difference is that I'm willing to think through the accusation, the story, the evidence where possible, and the implications over some time. That she would not is just disgusting.

So, again, I have admittedly had bad feelings about Platner from the first, but given the RW identity of his early (main) accuser and his clear past issues with temper and alcohol, it was at least conceivable this was not the campaign-ending type of accusation it appeared at first glance.

So, now a more specific accusation. I don't know all the full details, but her complaint appears quite plausible and she does not appear to be politically motivated--at least on first glance. What I don't like about her accusations are the timing, some of the details of the incident that at least COULD be less than clear in terms of unquestionable (fully nonconsensual sex) and thus rape, and as with many of these incidents that no action was taken to formalize or ensure that police investigate/prosecute based on the accusations, a difficulty in establishing facts. There can be many reasonable explanations for not doing so and I acknowledge that does not disprove anything. She has indicated there are some contemporaneous discussions with one or more around her at the time. That is certainly important.

So, here we are. Where I thought we probably were months ago and worried that we would be soon thereafter.

I am a feminist and I believe strongly in empowering women to take action and be supported when sexual assault (or repeated harassment)) occurs. But, I don't automatically suggest that these incidents are always credible or verifiable. Women can and do lie too, but in this case, I fear that may not be the case. Alcohol has been a repeated issue in his past. So, too his inability to control his anger and intentions. The two can be a really dangerous combination.

I am as upset as any with this news. But even 90 minutes later, I still want to tear into Molly Jong Fast for her on-air immediate reaction.

She is apparently left-leaning and her timing makes it possible to field a replacement candidate - likely the person who would have won if the information had come out earlier. She allowed the primary process to take place, probably in hopes that it would have been resolved at that stage. It wasn't. Coming forward now gives the party a potential do-ever. I would have been more skeptical of a right-leaning person coming forward in September.

This will not be the last one. Time for him to drop out. Nominate Mills.

Cancelling his campaign events is an admission of guilt. Platner's campaign needs to end NOW.

So I’m not at all surprised by this out of the blue allegation. If you’re going to take on the owners, you better be prepared for your reputation to be dragged through the pig slop and more. These are people who will happily shiv their own mothers for one more ill-gotten dollar. Anyone who presents even the slightest hint of opposition to the gravy train is getting the full treatment.

They also absolutely count on liberals to throw anyone under the bus at the hint of scandal while Piss and Kavanaugh and Thomas and Paxton and everyone on the Epstein list just laughs and laughs.

If he does have to leave the race, is there anyone with his policy positions to take over? Because that’s what people are attracted to, not him personally.

It’s quite obvious that someone with Mills’ positions isn’t it.

Costello and Platner have similar progressive agendas.

And Platner focused attacks on Mills, not Costello, which I think weakens her relative to Costello.

There is time between now and the election to build support for whoever the Dems pick. I just think the people supporting Platner would be happier with Costello than Mills as the person carrying the movement forward.

Obviously, it’s a serious allegation. But why wait to say anything until he’s the effective nominee?

Mills?

I don't think he is innocent nor do I think he is guilty I want more before I make up my mind.

Democrats turned on Al Franken only to learn it was a set up. I will not resort to a knee jerk reaction and want evidence.

...Franken.

I posted the following back on June 5.

This latest accusation takes things to different level. Perhaps someday Jane Mayer will weigh in on Platner and we'll get a clearer understanding.
___________________________
I just re-read Jane Mayer's "The Case of Al Franken"

This has all the hallmarks. The piling on with "not terrible in isolation, but look at the number of them!" quality.

Perhaps Jane will do an investigation of "The Case of Graham Platner." I'd sure like to hear more background on each and every report. I suspect it comes down to the same thing. A whole lot of smoke with no actual fire.

New Yorker
The Case of Al Franken
Jane Mayer
July 22, 2019

https://web.archive.org/web/20190829044419/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/07/29/the-case-of-al-franken

The primary was a failure. Now Collins will be reelected.

It's like supporting Democrats suddenly doesn't apply any more.

Why are the two choices only *this* or *susan collins*....

Can't there be something better than either of these two lousy *options*???

As QuietEm points out Maine will be OK.


There are options. For example, Troy Jackson, Shenna Bellows, Joe Baldacci, or even David Costello

I'm hoping they DO NOT go with Mills.

They need someone who inspires the people inspired by Platner.

It sounds like Troy Jackson campaigned with Platner and may be a good choice to take the movement forward.

There is time between now and the general to gather support behind a new nominee.