Bernie Sanders defends his Platner endorsement amid assault claim

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., denied regret for his initial support of former Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner on “Face the Nation” Sunday, saying he urged Platner to recuse himself after an ex-girlfriend accused him of sexual assault.

Host Margaret Brennan asked Sanders if he regretted not acting sooner in response to earlier warning signs, which he said could have given Platner’s replacement, former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson, more time to campaign.

“No, I don’t think so,” Sanders said. “When we heard the serious allegations against him, I wanted to get on the phone. I wanted to talk to him. I did. I asked him to drop out of the race, along with almost all of his supporters, and he did.”

Brennan pressed Sanders on whether he had made sure other progressive candidates he supported had been thoroughly vetted.

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“Look, I think there are hundreds of candidates. I don’t know who has been fully vetted, quote unquote,” Sanders said. “All I know is that the candidates we support represent the working class of this country, Margaret.”

Sanders repeatedly campaigned with Platner and continued to support him with controversies that included offensive social media posts, a Nazi-related tattoo, allegations of abusive behavior and reports that he exchanged explicit messages with women while married. Platner denied making a serious mistake, apologizing for some of his past posts and opinions.

When Sanders was asked in June if he was reconsidering his support following news about the messages, he gave a two-word answer.

“Absolutely not,” Sanders said, according to Fox News Digital.

Graham Platner withdrew from the U.S. Senate race in Maine after Sanders and other supporters urged him to step aside following a sexual assault allegation, which Platner denied. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

PLATNER’S THREE-DAY REVIEW DUTY RETURNS TO DEMS AS RAPE ALLEGATION LOSTS SENATE BID

Sanders later refused to answer when Fox News Digital asked if he believed the women who accused Platner of harassment. She called on Platner to step aside after a separate sexual assault allegation emerged, and Platner formally stood down earlier this month.

Maine Democrats elected Jackson by a 566-5 delegate vote on Saturday, leaving him with about 100 days to challenge senior Republican Sen. Susan Collins. Collins appears to be seeking a sixth term.

Before Jackson’s nomination, Fox News Digital reported that her expedited review had raised concerns about her past abortions and reports of her temper, workplace behavior and mortgage history.

A Democratic strategist described Jackson’s abbreviated review before delegates voted.

Maine Democrats chose Troy Jackson to replace Platner, but a Republican lawmaker questioned whether Jackson’s candidacy violated state election law. (Getty Images)

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“It’s kind of a rocket vetting process,” a Democratic strategist working on Senate races who asked to remain anonymous to speak more freely told Fox News Digital.

The turmoil in Maine comes amid a broader Democratic dispute over progressives challenging establishment-backed candidates. Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel warned in a Wall Street Journal op-ed that “Bernie Bros” could hurt Democrats by promoting candidates in unpopular positions in November, Fox News Digital reported.

Sanders said Emanuel’s criticism It reflected the ideological and financial divide within the party.

“There is a strong divide within the Democratic Party,” Sanders said Sunday. he said.

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“You have people like Rahm Emanuel who are dependent on billionaires contributing to the campaign and want to maintain the status quo,” Sanders said. “So there’s a progressive movement, and by the way, what’s pissing these guys off is that we’re winning all over this country.”