Maine Senate Hopeful Faces Tattoo Trouble

Graham Platner, a candidate for the Maine Senate, recently admitted to having a tattoo linked to Nazi symbolism. He brushed it off as a drunken mistake made during his time in the Marines. This isn't the first time Platner has faced backlash for his past actions. Earlier, some of his old online posts surfaced, where he made questionable comments about sexual assault in the military and criticized various groups. Platner tried to clear the air with a video apology, saying he was a different person back then. He explained that his past comments were influenced by his military experiences. However, the tattoo issue has sparked more controversy. The Anti-Defamation League identified the tattoo as a symbol used by the Nazi SS, which is a big deal. Platner claims he didn't know the tattoo's meaning when he got it and that no one ever pointed it out to him. But a former staffer disagreed, saying he should have known better and covered it up. Despite the controversy, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders still supports Platner, calling him an excellent candidate. This situation highlights a broader trend in politics. Candidates today seem to weather scandals that would have ended campaigns in the past. Donald Trump's ability to move past controversies has set a new standard. Democrats like Platner and Jay Jones in Virginia are following this trend, facing scandals but staying in the race. Jones, another Democratic candidate, faced his own controversy when old text messages surfaced. In them, he made violent comments about a Republican opponent. Despite the backlash, Jones remains in the race, leaving it up to voters to decide. This has even affected other races, like the governor's race in Virginia. The political landscape has changed. What once would have been a campaign-ending scandal is now just another hurdle. Candidates are learning to navigate these controversies, and voters are left to decide what matters most.