Graham Platner has been knifed in brutally expedited fashion, and a conclave of Democratic Party officials is already preparing to hand-pick his replacement, through an as-yet-unknown process that will mercifully bypass any inconvenient input from Maine primary voters, who had already voted for Platner in overwhelming fashion on June 9.
I’m pleased to learn that I’m part of a functioning political party that can knife the loser who needs knifing, to get him out of the way so it still has a hope of winning in November. If you’ve become emotionally committed, especially as a public figure/commentator, it’s hard to just say ‘oops’ and move on. As the casual observer can, and the cold-blooded operator must. Tracey has long been making a (reasonable) case that we’re in a moral panic about sex crimes, but that’s not useful in winning Maine. Three cheers for the brutally expeditious!
Genuinely valid reporting. But if it were me I’d headline it differently. As is, it looks like the article is about challenging the veracity of a rape claim. It might be less incendiary if it’s about investigating the machinations of Ms Hunt.
Challenging the veracity of a rape accuser is perilous.
Investigating a wandering lawyer who coordinates rape claims is less likely to come across negatively.
This isn't really about Platner or even the allegations. It's about the incentive structure.
Once political actors realize unadjudicated allegations can effectively nullify the outcome of a primary, they'll have every incentive to reach for that tool again.
The only way either party will let you get this far, is if they have something on you so that you can be controlled. I guarantee this clown has far worse skeletons in his closet. If Collins wasn’t a defacto Democrat, they’d stick with their man.
Are you for real? Your bio says “Champion of Survivors.” Outside of rape itself, almost nothing is worse for real survivors than false accusations. So if you’re going to wear that “Champion” title, how about actually following through: say plainly whether you believe Jenny Racicot is lying, call her out by name, and publicly invite her to answer your questions on the record. I’ve tagged you in a separate note if you care to stand by your work and meet me there. Protect your people, Champ.
It might've bolstered your point to include an image of the Al Franken case you describe. If it's so trivial, readers will see that and it'll lend validity to your perspective.
On Platner, I've not seen any major political pundit push back on this rape allegation. Most I've seen on Youtube, for example, appear to have wholesale accepted that he's a rapist - case closed...
Youtuber Vaush, who'd previously told people to vote Platner, didn't take a skeptical view. His most thoughtful claim was that Platner should drop out bc the rape allegations will now mean than his supporters have to spend forever arguing about the allegations - which is bad optics - rather than his policies. An earlier Vaush would've said that Leftists should speak what they percieve to be the Truth no matter the consequences, but that was a brash young man speaking a long time ago. What do you all think? 🤔
This was a long article you got out so quickly, so great job on that Michael. I felt a few more images to break up the text would've helped... I liked all the hyperlinks you put in, and thought you wrote well and with great emotional appeal.
Not sure where I stand on this story. I struggle to believe it's all concocted. But then, I'm not an unscrupulous lawyer targeting public figures with unprovable, highly emotive claims that most people wouldn't wanna be seen as defending/questioning - even if they're correct...
I suspect Platner did have sex with this woman, whilst he was drunk, that was not very pleasant for all involved. The level of intoxication suggested in the rape article is high, claiming that Platner had no recollection of his actions the next day.
If we go off the version of events presented so far, he was in an ongoing casual relationship with this woman whom he had has sex with prior multiple times, and he'd come to her house one night blackout drunk. It's certainly possible that he then, without being consciously aware of it, made a very bad, drunken error of judgement that has now cost him his political career...
When a blackout drunk woman has sex with a man, we would say she was unable to give meaningful consent. Seems the same would apply here; i.e. Platner could not meaningfully understand the gravity of his actions, nor is he alleged to have even been aware of them or able to remember them, if they occurred at all...
Seems like a lesson for us all on responsible drinking and caution around casual sex, even if you're in an "on and off" relationship with someone you think you're on good terms with... Platner has denied the claims and it'll be interesting to see if the case is taken any further, if more details and any meaningful evidence is made available to the public...
It’s funny how Cheyenne Hunt never mentions “putting her stake in the ground” to help women keep men out of their sports, bathrooms or locker rooms! Apparently that misogyny is ok.
I’m pleased to learn that I’m part of a functioning political party that can knife the loser who needs knifing, to get him out of the way so it still has a hope of winning in November. If you’ve become emotionally committed, especially as a public figure/commentator, it’s hard to just say ‘oops’ and move on. As the casual observer can, and the cold-blooded operator must. Tracey has long been making a (reasonable) case that we’re in a moral panic about sex crimes, but that’s not useful in winning Maine. Three cheers for the brutally expeditious!
Genuinely valid reporting. But if it were me I’d headline it differently. As is, it looks like the article is about challenging the veracity of a rape claim. It might be less incendiary if it’s about investigating the machinations of Ms Hunt.
Challenging the veracity of a rape accuser is perilous.
Investigating a wandering lawyer who coordinates rape claims is less likely to come across negatively.
Tracey is missing the point.
This isn't really about Platner or even the allegations. It's about the incentive structure.
Once political actors realize unadjudicated allegations can effectively nullify the outcome of a primary, they'll have every incentive to reach for that tool again.
Platner is temporary. The precedent isn't.
Very good and well put point. 👍✨️
The only way either party will let you get this far, is if they have something on you so that you can be controlled. I guarantee this clown has far worse skeletons in his closet. If Collins wasn’t a defacto Democrat, they’d stick with their man.
When in doubt, get the hammer & sickle tattoo, not the totenkopf - even if it costs extra.
Cheyenne Hunt aside, Racicot apparently shared the incident with a friend or friends at the time via text, and with her therapist.
Are you for real? Your bio says “Champion of Survivors.” Outside of rape itself, almost nothing is worse for real survivors than false accusations. So if you’re going to wear that “Champion” title, how about actually following through: say plainly whether you believe Jenny Racicot is lying, call her out by name, and publicly invite her to answer your questions on the record. I’ve tagged you in a separate note if you care to stand by your work and meet me there. Protect your people, Champ.
Very bold and brave again, Michael.
It might've bolstered your point to include an image of the Al Franken case you describe. If it's so trivial, readers will see that and it'll lend validity to your perspective.
On Platner, I've not seen any major political pundit push back on this rape allegation. Most I've seen on Youtube, for example, appear to have wholesale accepted that he's a rapist - case closed...
Youtuber Vaush, who'd previously told people to vote Platner, didn't take a skeptical view. His most thoughtful claim was that Platner should drop out bc the rape allegations will now mean than his supporters have to spend forever arguing about the allegations - which is bad optics - rather than his policies. An earlier Vaush would've said that Leftists should speak what they percieve to be the Truth no matter the consequences, but that was a brash young man speaking a long time ago. What do you all think? 🤔
This was a long article you got out so quickly, so great job on that Michael. I felt a few more images to break up the text would've helped... I liked all the hyperlinks you put in, and thought you wrote well and with great emotional appeal.
Not sure where I stand on this story. I struggle to believe it's all concocted. But then, I'm not an unscrupulous lawyer targeting public figures with unprovable, highly emotive claims that most people wouldn't wanna be seen as defending/questioning - even if they're correct...
I suspect Platner did have sex with this woman, whilst he was drunk, that was not very pleasant for all involved. The level of intoxication suggested in the rape article is high, claiming that Platner had no recollection of his actions the next day.
If we go off the version of events presented so far, he was in an ongoing casual relationship with this woman whom he had has sex with prior multiple times, and he'd come to her house one night blackout drunk. It's certainly possible that he then, without being consciously aware of it, made a very bad, drunken error of judgement that has now cost him his political career...
When a blackout drunk woman has sex with a man, we would say she was unable to give meaningful consent. Seems the same would apply here; i.e. Platner could not meaningfully understand the gravity of his actions, nor is he alleged to have even been aware of them or able to remember them, if they occurred at all...
Seems like a lesson for us all on responsible drinking and caution around casual sex, even if you're in an "on and off" relationship with someone you think you're on good terms with... Platner has denied the claims and it'll be interesting to see if the case is taken any further, if more details and any meaningful evidence is made available to the public...
Thanks for writing Michael, as always. ✨️✨️
It’s funny how Cheyenne Hunt never mentions “putting her stake in the ground” to help women keep men out of their sports, bathrooms or locker rooms! Apparently that misogyny is ok.
Respect to you Mike for digging up this pile of dung, but honestly, for normies it’s getting sooooo tedious.