Graham Platner Finally Withdraws, But Leaves Major Problem For Democrats To Overcome Susan Collins!

This author and blogger from “Day One” felt uncomfortable and doubtful about Maine Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner.

The gut feeling was that there was something suspicious and disconcerting about him, hard to pinpoint, but the feeling one gets when one meets someone and has a bad vibe about such person, something everyone has with some people they encounter in life.

The revelation of his past shortcomings and disgraceful behavior did not stop Maine Democratic voters from supporting him over Maine Governor Janet Mills, but the new revelations accusing Platner of rape was the turning point, forcing him out of the race.

A key issue was clearly the fact that Janet Mills is 78, and would be the oldest first term elected Senator in history, leaving office after one term in her mid 80s.

The fact that Republican Senator Susan Collins would be 80 years of age herself in six years, made for an unusual situation, as Maine already has the oldest age population of any state, with average age of 45.1, and 23 percent of the population being over the age of 65.

Of course, already, Maine’s other Senator, Independent Angus King is age 82, so would be 86 at the end of his present term in 2030.

Susan Collins has managed to win five terms, more than any Maine Senator in history, and win in a state that is very “Blue” in Presidential elections, and she has always gained the majority of women in Maine.

So the tragic situation with Graham Platner is a major negative for Democrats, as it seems clear that if the Democrats do not win Maine, the chance of them controlling the US Senate in the 120th Congress (2027-2029) will go by the wayside.

With Platner’s announced withdrawal last night, a state convention of 500 delegates will be arranged before the state deadline of July 27.

It is urgent for unity to occur in the aftermath of the Platner disaster, as winning Maine for the Democrats is a priority.