... It looks like Graham Platner won't be putting oyster stew on the Senate Dining Room menu any time soon.
In the wake of the most serious allegations yet against the scandal-soaked Democratic Senate nominee -- this time that he raped an erstwhile girlfriend in 2021 -- the months-long drumbeat from party leaders to get him out of the race may yet succeed.
Platner vehemently denies the charge but given that his most recent scandals prior to the rape claim involved acknowledged misconduct in his marriage and prior relationships, he may have finally run out of goodwill among his supporters. When he posted his video dismissing the allegation, Platner was already speaking in the past tense about his candidacy and said that he would be evaluating the "best path forward."
That's candidate-ese for "I have to talk to my donors and prominent endorsers and see if they're dropping me."
Maine law gives him until July 13 to withdraw in favor of state Democrats' designated replacement. The first batch of post-primary polls in Platner's race against incumbent Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) already showed him weighed down by his baggage, so if he did try to hang on, Platner would find that many of his onetime boosters -- folks who had developed an ethical relativism worthy of a Trump flak -- probably wouldn't be up for any more shucking on his behalf. ...
The smart play for Democrats, and probably Platner himself, is to try a do-over. Democratic Maine Gov. Janet Mills, who began her candidacy reluctantly, now seems like she's champing at the bit. If Platner goes quietly, Democrats could quickly get Collins and the GOP back on the defensive and keep the chance of retaking the Senate alive.
The math isn't great for Democrats. They have to win eight of 11 competitive Senate races this year to take back the Senate for the first time since 2014. ...
