‘It’s a Shame That He’s Not Still Around’: James Carville Says Platner May Have Been ‘Most Talented’ Dem Since Obama

Veteran Democratic strategist James Carville offered praise for former Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner more than a month after the scandal-soaked Democrat dropped out of the race, claiming he may have been the party’s “most talented” politician since former President Barack Obama.

Speaking to host Wyatt Sharpe on the August 3 episode of The Sharpe Exchange podcast on YouTube, Carville reflected on Platner’s short-lived moment before allegations of sexual assault brought his Senate campaign crashing down last month.

I think Platner might be – we’ll never know – but in his brief shining moment, he might have been the most talented Democratic politician since Barack Obama. He might have been that talented. And it’s a shame that he’s not still around. That guy, he had some ability to connect with people. He had the ability to see around corners. He was a very able guy.

Platner withdrew from the Maine Senate race on July 10 as political and financial support for his candidacy collapsed following a series of controversies and sexual misconduct allegations, which he denied.

The candidate had initially attracted vocal support from major figures on the Democratic left, including Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT). That backing survived earlier controversy, including allegations from Platner’s former girlfriend Lyndsey Fifield that he had become physical with her during their relationship. Platner denied her claims.

He had also faced scrutiny over a history of controversial Reddit posts and a chest tattoo with links to Nazi imagery. Platner repeatedly maintained that he had been unaware of the tattoo’s associations when he got it.

His campaign ultimately unraveled after Politico published allegations from another former girlfriend, Jenny Racicot, who said an intoxicated Platner forced his way into her home in 2021 and sexually assaulted her despite her urging him to stop.

Platner strongly denied Racicot’s account in a video posted to X, describing the allegations as “troubling, serious, and false,” but the accusation nevertheless prompted Sanders and other Democrats to call for Platner to leave the race, intensifying pressure on a campaign already reeling from controversy. Platner dropped out shortly afterward.

Troy Jackson was selected on July 25 to replace Platner as the Democratic nominee.

Watch above via YouTube.

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