Sen. Elizabeth Warren addressed questions this week about her support for Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner, following scrutiny over his past statements and controversies during an interview on CNBC, as reported [1] by Fox News.
Appearing on “Squawk on the Street,” Warren was pressed by CNBC host Sara Eisen regarding her decision to campaign with Platner in Maine. Eisen outlined several issues that have drawn attention to the candidate, including a tattoo that has been interpreted as a Nazi symbol, past online comments, and statements about Hamas military tactics.
“This is a guy that had a chest tattoo with a Nazi symbol. OK, he apologized for it. It’s a guy that reportedly wrote that people concerned about rape should take some responsibility for themselves and not get so f**ked up that they wind up having sex with someone they don’t mean to. He praised military tactics used by Hamas, reportedly in comments online, and read it when they were murdering Israeli soldiers. So, I’m just curious why you think he’s your kind of man?” Eisen asked.
Warren responded by emphasizing that Platner has acknowledged his past actions and is now engaging directly with voters.
“So, as you rightly point out, he has apologized. He’s out meeting with the people of Maine every single day so they can evaluate not who Graham Platner was, but who Graham Platner is today,” Warren said.
The Massachusetts senator also provided context for a previous remark in which she referred to Platner as her “kind of man.” She said the comment was based on his response in an interview discussing economic conditions following the 2008 financial crisis.
“I’m reading an interview with him, and he’s asked, ‘When did you first know that the game was rigged?’ And he harks back to the 2008 crash, when 10 million families lost their homes, when 8 million people lost their jobs, when millions of people lost their savings, and when big banks cheated folks, when non-bank financial institutions tricked them, robbed them of their homes. And Graham Platner’s answer on when he knew the game was rigged was when not one banker went to jail. And I said, ‘That’s my kind of man,’” Warren said.
Eisen followed up by asking whether Democrats aim to present themselves as a “party of inclusivity.” Warren shifted her focus to economic priorities in her response.
“I want to be the party that stands up for hard-working people,” Warren said.
“I want to be the party that is transformative of an economy that right now is hip-deep in corruption and an economy that’s working for a handful of billionaires and multi-multi-multimillionaires and not working for much of anyone else. I want us to be the party that actually delivers on lowering costs and that expands opportunities. And that’s what Graham Platner wants to do. And I’m there to stand with him and to help in that fight.”
Warren appeared alongside Platner in Portland, Maine, over the weekend, where she publicly reiterated her support. The Maine Democratic primary is scheduled for June 9, with Platner seeking the party’s nomination in a race that could challenge incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins in the general election.
Platner is also facing competition within his own party, including from Maine Gov. Janet Mills. His past statements and actions have been highlighted by opposing campaigns, including references to online posts from 2013 and 2014 and his previously visible tattoo, which he has since covered.
The interview highlighted ongoing debate within the Democratic Party about candidate vetting and messaging as the primary race in Maine approaches.