OPINION:
Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner isn’t a one-off.
He and his behavior compose a recurring low bar for Democratic candidates and politicians, including former Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey, whose reported malfeasance resulted in him being sentenced to 11 years in prison, former New York City Gov. Andrew Cuomo, and former House Rep. Eric Swalwell of California.
The latter two admitted to sexual misconduct and were reluctantly shown the exit by Democratic Party leaders — but only after having lost their usefulness
There’s a far longer list, but the grand pooh-bah of Democratic misconduct was the late Sen. Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts. He was a known philanderer and a drunk for decades who in 1969, left his lover and subordinate, political aide Mary Jo Kopechne, to die in a car in a pond after he drove off a bridge.
The Democrats were willing not just to overlook his immorality and cowardice; they even considered him for president! It’s unimaginable that they referred to him as the lion of the Senate. No low has been too low for a Democrat to gain or maintain power.
Now, enter Graham Platner. His party acknowledges that he has a troubling past (a huge understatement) but say that he is seeking redemption. Doesn’t everyone deserve that? they ask. The answer is no.
Mr. Platner is just the latest low-life candidate to be dressed up and supported by the Democratic Party in its effort to gain a majority. The party knows full well that he has unacceptable character flaws, which are still being brought to light.
As the saying goes, you can put lipstick on a pig, but this guy is still a pig.
Maine and the Senate deserve better.
CHARLES EARY
West Fenwick, Delaware
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