A Democratic Senate candidate’s disgusting victim-blaming posts have resurfaced, exposing the left’s hypocrisy on supporting women while advancing candidates who shame sexual assault survivors.
Democratic Candidate’s Shocking Victim-Blaming History
Graham Platner, seeking Maine’s U.S. Senate seat, faces mounting calls to abandon his campaign after deleted Reddit posts revealed he told sexual assault victims to “take some responsibility for themselves.” The former infantryman posted over 1,800 times between 2009 and 2021 under the handle “P-Hustle,” making controversial statements about race, police, and sexual violence. His victim-blaming comments from 2013 suggest women should avoid situations that could lead to assault, demonstrating a callous disregard for survivors’ trauma and perpetuating harmful stereotypes that conservatives have long opposed.
Party Fractures Over Candidate’s Fitness
The controversy has split Democratic leadership, with establishment figures demanding Platner’s withdrawal while progressive allies maintain support. EMILY’s List President Jessica Mackler declared Platner’s comments “unacceptable and disqualifying,” warning they risk handing victory to Republican incumbent Susan Collins. Despite losing his campaign director and facing bipartisan condemnation, Platner claims his fundraising and volunteer support remain unaffected. This internal Democratic battle reveals the party’s struggle between progressive idealism and electoral pragmatism, particularly when confronting candidates with documented histories of offensive rhetoric.
Inadequate Apology and Troubling Pattern
Platner’s defense centers on attributing his comments to post-war PTSD and limited exposure to women during military service. He issued public apologies through media interviews and campaign videos, claiming personal growth since making the posts. However, critics question whether trauma justifies victim-blaming rhetoric that undermines fundamental principles of personal responsibility and respect for survivors. The candidate’s history extends beyond sexual assault comments to include a Nazi SS Totenkopf tattoo he later covered up, suggesting a broader pattern of poor judgment that raises serious concerns about his character and fitness for public office.
Electoral Implications and Conservative Opportunity
This scandal demonstrates how the left’s virtue signaling crumbles when political ambition takes precedence over stated principles. While Democrats lecture Americans about supporting survivors and condemning victim-blaming, they simultaneously defend a candidate whose own words perpetuate harmful attitudes toward sexual assault. The Maine Senate race, critical for chamber control, now offers Republicans an opportunity to highlight Democratic hypocrisy while advocating for genuine respect for victims. Platner’s refusal to withdraw despite overwhelming evidence of his unfitness shows how power-hungry progressives prioritize political calculations over moral clarity, undermining their credibility on issues they claim to champion.
Sources:
EMILY’s List – Graham Platner Says Sexual Assault Victims Should “Take Some Responsibility”
WGME – Senate candidate Graham Platner addresses past Reddit posts and controversial tattoo
Politico – Graham Platner seeks to turn the page on his online comments