Fetterman on Platner after Mills exits Maine Senate race: ‘Republicans f‑‑‑ing love him’
Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) made clear that he was not thrilled that Graham Platner (D) was the presumptive Democratic Senate nominee in Maine, declaring that “Republicans love him” for his liberal policy positions and controversial statements.
“Democrats really, really like Platner in Maine, but Republicans love him,” Fetterman said when asked about Democratic Gov. Janet Mills’ withdrawal from the Maine primary.
“It’s a wonderful day,” he added wryly. “If Maine wants a hole in the chest with a Nazi tattoo, they got him.”
But Fetterman said he doesn’t plan to support incumbent Sen. Susan Collins (R) despite his concerns about Platner.
“No, I don’t have it; I’m not involved in this,” he said.
Fetterman recently called out Platner for comments the Marine and Army National Guard combat veteran made on Reddit years ago about a raid by Hamas militants against Israeli soldiers.
“From a strictly professional standpoint, this was an extremely good-looking and successful raid against a superior opponent, I understand that,” Platner wrote in an online comment first reported by Jewish Insider.
“You know, it’s like Platner in Maine,” Fetterman told video reporter Nicholas Ballasy. “You know, in a video of Hamas beating and torturing Israeli soldiers to death, he said ‘I’m digging’. ‘I’m digging’.”
“This is what our party has become. It’s incredibly disappointing,” Fetterman said.
Mills announced Thursday that he would suspend his Senate campaign due to insufficient funds to compete. Polls showed Platner likely trailing by double digits among Democratic primary voters.
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