Maine Democrat Platner Draws Fresh Fire Over 2019 Post Mocking Purple Heart Soldier
Updated
Updated · Fox News · May 20
Maine Democrat Platner Draws Fresh Fire Over 2019 Post Mocking Purple Heart Soldier
10 articles · Updated · Fox News · May 20
A 2019 Reddit post tied to Graham Platner resurfaced this week, showing the Maine Democratic Senate candidate calling a U.S. soldier shot four times in Afghanistan a "dumb motherf-----" who "didn't deserve to live."
The post referred to helmet-cam footage of Pfc. Ted Daniels, who was wounded in a 2012 clash with Taliban fighters and later said he exposed himself to enemy fire to protect others in his unit.
Criticism quickly spread from online commentators to the NRSC and veterans, with former Marine and Navy SEAL Adam Schwarze saying combat veterans do not publicly mock wounded service members and arguing Platner should not run for Senate.
Platner, a Marine veteran backed by Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, has previously dismissed scrutiny over his deleted "P-Hustle" posts as joking or "shitposting," but the account has also drawn attention for rape comments, anti-police remarks and praise for Hamas tactics.
The renewed controversy lands as Platner, 1 month after Janet Mills ended her bid, prepares to challenge five-term Republican Sen. Susan Collins in a race that could help decide Senate control.
How does the public weigh an apology against a candidate's own past words that directly contradict their excuse?
In an era of digital footprints, what is the new standard for judging a public figure's past behavior?