Graham Platner, the already problematic Maine Democratic Senate nominee, is now being accused of rape. Though he is denying the allegation, he is taking “time to reflect on the best path forward” for his candidacy. Meanwhile, reports are that  several prominent supporters revoked their endorsements. Well, I should hope so!

Was anyone surprised when this story broke? An allegation of this kind was bound to follow those being summarily underplayed by Democrats (and their voters) praying to win control of the Senate.

Senator Susan Collins is a moderate Republican repeatedly targeted for unseating by Democrats. But Maine voters have reelected her time and again, sometimes by a wider-than-expected margin in a race the polls said was tight. It seems likely that will happen again and, dare I say, it should.

It is easy to understand the desperation to have a Congress that will at least try to keep this president in check. I share it. But to root for Platner, one had to dismiss the idea that character matters and agree with the proposition that the end justifies the means, however temporarily. Should we be okay with that? Finally, the answer seems to be no.