NYT Panel Debates Graham Platner Scandals Ahead of June 10 Maine Primary

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jun 6

New York Times Opinion panelists said Graham Platner’s scandals may not sink his Maine Senate bid before Tuesday’s Democratic primary, despite mounting questions about his character and judgment.
Jamelle Bouie argued the controversies largely reinforce Platner’s rough-edged outsider brand and would likely hurt him only if they crossed into illegality or clearly extreme unethical conduct.
David French countered that the pattern of allegations — including a tattoo with Nazi associations and a more recent sexting scandal — signals deeper judgment problems that should disqualify him from the Senate.
The debate centered on whether Donald Trump’s scandal-heavy rise has lowered voters’ expectations for personal conduct, making character attacks less potent in competitive campaigns.
Platner’s race to challenge Republican Sen. Susan Collins is now being watched as a test of whether Democrats will tolerate more scandal-plagued candidates marketed as political fighters.