Graham Platner Wins Senate Nomination, Democrats Divided on Future of Party

Senate candidate Graham Platner won the Democratic nomination in Maine on Tuesday night. He'll now challenge Republican Sen. Susan Collins in the November midterm election. While outlets on the right and in the center primarily focused on scandals surrounding Platner's campaign, many left-leaning outlets shared diverging analyses of Platner's nomination and what it means for the future of the Democratic party.

'Scandal-Plagued' Platner: Outlets across the political spectrum noted controversies surrounding Platner, including a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol, resurfaced Reddit posts, campaign withdrawals and allegations of "sexting" and mistreatment of former romantic partners. National Review (Lean Right bias), New York Post (Right) and BBC (Center) described Platner as "scandal-plagued." The Times of Israel (Center) reported that Platner has been accused of antisemitism for his claims about AIPAC control. An opinion in the Daily Signal (Right) focused on Platner's tattoo and described him as the "modern Democratic party's fresh Aryan face." It included criticism from former Republican and Jewish leaders, and cited praise from leaders like Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).

Democratic Hypocrisy: National Review published a few opinion pieces describing what writers felt was hypocrisy from the Democratic party. One writer said Platner's nomination "expose[d] the hollowness of 'Believe women,'" as Democrats overlooked the standards established during the Me Too Movement. Noah Rothman (Lean Right) argued that Platner was the "toxic masculinity" stereotype that Democrats "invented." Rothman described Platner as "a habitual liar," "a provocateur," "crude and boorish," and that he "glamorizes violence for its own sake." He also criticized Democratic targeting of traditionally masculine traits, like "car culture, playing video games," "protectiveness, valor, and self-sacrifice," writing that instead, progressives have nominated someone who "embodies all the worst traits [they] assumed were present in all men." Another opinion from Jeffrey Blehar (Lean Right) argued "many Democrats aren't even denying their willingness to abandon their moral pretense for a shot at power."

'Why Platner Won': Mother Jones (Left) argued that allegations like racism, sexism and "even criminal behaviors," wasn't enough to disqualify President Trump from a second term, therefore Democrats aren't leaning away from it. The article included an interview with a sociology professor who said Platner, despite the allegations, positioned himself as relatable enough to get votes in a time when voters "feel like neither party and almost no candidate is actually going to help them." BBC said Platner's nomination was the "result of an effort that…built a viral momentum…and connected with the anger and energy of rank-and-file Democratic voters." An opinion in the New York Times (Lean Left) from Bret Stephens (Lean Right) argued that with every nominee "with a blemished personal history," "we elect or install people…to achieve the results we desire, not to serve as paragons of moral rectitude." Stephens also contended that this will "finally re-erect" moral standards in American politics.

'Reluctant' Acceptance: The Washington Post (Lean Left), NBC News (Lean Left) and Politico (Lean Left) emphasized concerns from Democrats over Platner's nomination. The Post and Politico both asserted that many Democrats stopped short of endorsing Platner, with the Post saying many "grudgingly" accepted his nomination. In one of several opinion pieces shared by Washington Post, Genevieve McDonald, the former political director of Platner's campaign, argued Platner "shouldn't be a US senator" as he "exhibits a pattern of dishonest behavior" and was a gaslighter. Another Washington Post opinion from former Senator Jeff Flake (Lean Right) urged Democrats to vote for Collins in the primary. He argued that both parties are "stronger when they hold themselves to a standard," and that Democrats now have the chance to overlook "partisanship" and "reject" a candidate riddled with accusations of misconduct. An opinion in Time (Lean Left) suggested Graham's nomination could be a "potential self-own" and said Maine will now engage in "an expensive experiment" as the midterms play out and we see what voters are "willing to overlook."

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