Resurfacing of Reddit Posts Shakes Maine Senate Campaign
The left seems to be adjusting its viewpoint on “locker room talk” after discovering an old Reddit post by a prominent Senate candidate. Graham Platner, the Democratic candidate for Maine’s Senate seat, had some past Reddit comments come to light just two months after starting his campaign. He addressed these remarks in a video released Friday, yet many on the left appeared to brush them aside.
Reviews of previously deleted posts show that Platner, a military veteran and former oyster farmer, referred to himself as a “communist,” labeled police officers as “assholes,” and claimed that rural white Americans are “actually” racist and not particularly intelligent.
From the Reddit file: My thoughts on misogyny and homophobia in the Marine Corps.
Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin stated that while he didn’t view Platner’s comments as “disqualifying,” he deemed them “indefensible, harmful, and offensive.” He expressed relief that Platner had apologized for his remarks during an appearance on CNN.
Martin emphasized the importance of giving people “second chances,” suggesting that everyone should learn from their past mistakes. The real indicator for him is whether individuals show genuine remorse and alter their behavior going forward.
DNC Chairman Ken Martin responds to a now-deleted post by Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner, saying, “I don’t think they’re disqualified, but they’re certainly not right. And I’m glad he apologized for them.”
In his video, Platner reflected on his previous statements, admitting they were words he finds abhorrent now. He noted that some of his worst comments emerged during a tough transitional phase after returning from military service in 2011, which he said contributed to “crude humor and dark sentiments.” He acknowledged that the language he used back then was characteristic of the infantry culture.
Over time, Platner mentioned that his tone has shifted. “My language was less coarse, and my thoughts and feelings were much less rough,” he said. He described the emotional challenges he faced returning from combat, revealing that he struggled with PTSD and depression.
Feeling unsettled and isolated, Platner turned to the internet as a means of finding a community. He stopped posting on Reddit around 2020 and began fostering real connections instead.
Former Democratic Congresswoman Susan Wilde praised Platner’s apology video, calling it genuine and well-articulated. Meanwhile, questions about the resurfaced Reddit post arose shortly after Democratic Maine Governor Janet Mills announced her Senate candidacy, suggesting a potential link to the timing of Platner’s campaign challenges.
Democratic California Representative Ro Khanna also chimed in, claiming the resurfacing of Platner’s post was an orchestrated effort by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee to sabotage his campaign. Khanna expressed respect for Platner’s growth and condemned the politics of personal destruction.
Khanna stated, “Let me be clear: DSCC leaked this information in an attempt to destroy Platner on the day its handpicked candidates contested the election.” He affirmed his support for Platner and his commitment to stand firm against such tactics.
