I am wrapping up my vacation, but I wanted to say a few words about some leftists dismissing rape allegations against Graham Platner.
Earlier this afternoon, POLITICO published a report outlining rape allegations against Graham Platner, a labor-backed candidate running for a crucial Senate seat in Maine. The reports are backed by hard evidence from text messages, therapist meetings, and discussions with friends that occurred well before Platner became a public figure. The evidence is strong, and as a reporter whose done decades of investigation into sexual misconduct, I believe the rape allegations
(Read the full detailed story from POLITICO here)
The deadline for Maine Senate candidates to drop out is in a week, and some on the left want Platner to stay in the race.
As a reporter who spent decades covering sexual assault in the labor movement, I fear that some on the left will attack the accuser despite her strong evidence. This will make it less likely that more accusers will come forward in the future. The damage of constantly defending someone like Platner will cause our movement serious harm.
Already, some leftists like Hasan Piker are calling on Platner to drop out. Additionally, Platner told POLITICO that he was weighing his options, which is exactly why the left must be loud now in standing up for rape victims. We don't have time to waste.
However, with a week to go until the deadline, the best course would be for Platner's campaign to begin a transparent and democratic process to select a candidate on the left to replace him.
Again, I hope everyone takes a few minutes to read these serious allegations.
Melk
