There are so many “people” in this world, and also so many “sexualities”.
In the American political arena, this is very apt.
See the photo first.
His name is Graham Platner. He has a round face, a thick beard, a sturdy build, and a casual style of clothing…
At first glance, one might think he is a "red-necked" person, yet he represents the Democratic Party, trying to reclaim the voters that Trump has taken away.
Progressive strategist Morris Katz recalled that after just a few conversations, it was decided that he should serve in the Federal Senate.
In August last year, this “grassroots” individual announced his intention to enter the politics of Maine, and the campaign video was directed by Katz.
The new mayor of New York, Zohran Mamdani, who calls himself a "democratic socialist," has Katz as his backer as well.
In the video, Platoner emphasized his identity as a retired soldier and oyster farmer, accusing politicians who represent the interests of billionaires of being traitors, with direct accusations directed at Susan Collins.
She is the current Republican senator from Maine, and she is the target of Praner's challenge. She has held this position since 1997.
Platoner’s campaign ignited the enthusiasm of both Democratic leaders and grassroots voters. Key figures such as Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren openly supported him, calling him “ours.”
However, in the next ten months, there will be endless controversies surrounding him.
Between 2013 and 2021, his posts on Reddit were flagged as being "deepfucked": he claimed to be a "communist" and cursed at "all police officers as idiots". He was also asked to reflect on himself by a person who had experienced sexual assault... Later, in an interview, he apologized for this and attributed it to PTSD.
There are also Nazi tattoos, anti-Semitic remarks, sexual messages, and physical violence...
However, as mid-term elections approach, there is a real chance of a turnaround in Maine. In order to regain control of the Senate, many Democrats choose to comfort themselves with the thought that "human nature" is inherently imperfect, especially when faced with examples like Trump.
With the momentum of ‘kill any god who blocks the way, kill any Buddha who blocks the way’ within the party, Plattner gained high poll numbers and substantial fundraising, forcing her competitor – Janet Mills, a candidate supported by the establishment – to step down from the race.
Ultimately, in June of this year, Prantner won the primary election.
The final straw that overwhelmed them arrived again. On July 6th, a woman named Jenny Racicot accused Pratner of raping her at the end of 2021.
Jenny Lassik accused Pratner of rape; video screenshots
As soon as the report came out, it immediately sparked controversy in American public opinion. The previously minor scandal suddenly turned into a serious criminal case.
Watching him build those red-roofed buildings, watching as those buildings collapse. The top Democrats have all abandoned their commitments, and even the campaign committee announced that they would no longer invest any resources.
A female voter who supported Pultner was deeply saddened, criticizing the Democrats for being too hasty and asking for resignation upon encountering accusations.
Platen denied the rape charges, but refused to back down from his candidacy. However, Democrats couldn’t wait any longer and removed him from the voting list. The deadline for withdrawal was July 13th.
The Democratic Party has also fallen into internal divisions. Is it to ensure safety, or to take another risk?
Two prominent candidates have emerged, reflecting this disagreement. One is Nirav D. Shah. As a descendant of Indian immigrants, he served as the director of the Maine State Department of Health and Public Safety. Recently, he lost in the primary elections for the state governor.
Another candidate is Troy Jackson, who comes from a blue-collar family. He is running for governor as a senator from Maine, receiving support from Sanders and Prattner.
Meanwhile, liberal media reflect on themselves: why do they ignore the obvious danger signals that are right in front of them?
The New York Times concludes that many progressives believe that by adopting a distinct populist discourse and a down-to-earth political style, it is possible to win back the common voters who are disillusioned with the Democratic Party, without having to compromise on policy positions with the centrists.
Conservative media will not easily miss this opportunity to mock.
The New York Post described the Democrats as blindly hating Trump, yet unable to come up with a decent platform of policies. “They need to get out of the mindset that ‘Trump is a bad guy’.”
As for Trump, Democrats probably feel both hatred and affection towards him.
Platoner's impressive promises, such as anti-oligarchy, anti-elite, and championing workers, dazzled Democrats: these are exactly the qualities that Trump possesses, while Democrats lack.
The magazine 'Atlantic' pointed out a key issue: Trump once said that he prefers officials who are like "casting agencies" who directly select actors. In other words, their appearance and demeanor must align with the typical expectations people have for such positions, just like characters in Hollywood movies.
After all, that's how Trump became successful.
What’s more interesting is that Trump called Plattner “hypocritical” and “despicable”. Just before winning his second term, he himself was nearly disqualified from running due to the “starlet bribe” scandal.
Back in the day, when Pratner was working by the coast of Maine with all those oysters, did he ever think that one day he would be involved with so many "people" and such "sexual matters"?
