Democratic Party

Graham Platner Dropped Out, but His Shadow Lingers Over Democrats and U.S. Politics

Democrats passed over the opportunity to be the sane party in favor of bad people and worse ideas.

J.D. Tuccille | 7.10.2026 8:30 AM

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There was a time, not long ago, when Democrats could have branded their organization as the sane party. With Republicans moving in a sharply nationalist/populist direction that looked more over time like a cult of personality for Donald J. Trump, there was an opening for the donkey party to offer refuge to normies. All Democrats had to do was hold the ground against crazy.

They didn't rise to the moment.

You are reading The Rattler from J.D. Tuccille and Reason. Get more of J.D.'s commentary on government overreach and threats to everyday liberty.

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Platner Was Obviously a Bad Person Long Before the Latest Revelation

Instead, Democrats told the country to hold their beer while they embraced socialism, antisemitism, and hostility to western civilization. Inevitably, we arrived at a moment when they eagerly supported Graham Platner through his Nazi tattoo, self-described communism, attacks on Jews and Israel, and abusive behavior towards women, not to mention his phony posturing as a working-class hero. They are finally drawing the line at allegations by an ex-girlfriend that he forced his way into her home and raped her.

At least they still have standards. Of a sort. If only Platner was the full extent of the problem.

I wrote last month that Platner is a symptom of "a movement that seemingly holds ideological lunacy as its highest value." All can be forgiven by the rising........

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