Bret Stephens: Hi, Frank. Graham Platner, criticized by an ex-girlfriend as an abusive individual, has won his primary in Maine. He will now challenge the Republican senator, Susan Collins, as the Democratic candidate. I see this as a severe blow to the #MeToo movement. Do you agree?
Frank Bruni: Is there something less than a death knell? Maybe a ‘coma knell’?
Bret: Or a ‘doom chime’?
Frank: I hesitate to believe society has stopped condemning men’s mistreatment of women entirely. Platner’s success as the Democratic nominee is hardly a cause for celebration unless you’re Senator Collins, who might be quite pleased.
Bret: I’m not deeply familiar with Maine’s political nuances. Platner’s two main rivals, including Janet Mills, who ceased campaigning over a month ago, received barely over a quarter of the votes combined. This might mean some voters could abstain or switch to Collins, benefiting her campaign. I sense more revelations about Platner may surface before November.
Frank: Your point about Democratic hypocrisy in supporting Platner is valid. However, if this race affects Senate control and Republicans who align with Trump gain a majority, that’s dangerous. This peril becomes clearer with Trump’s claims of rigged primaries in California.
Bret: Trump poses a threat regardless of Congress. Democrats harm themselves by endorsing candidates like Platner. Is it now acceptable for a candidate accused of abuse, as Platner has been, to receive forgiveness if their political stance aligns with ours, despite their accuser being from the rival party?
Frank: Trump is significantly more dangerous if he has control over Congress.
Bret: I’m not convinced, but let’s continue.