When it came time to recruit candidates for next year's midterms, some Democrats had a goal of finding political newcomers who don't talk like Beltway insiders and are ready to fight back against the Trump administration.
U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner of Maine, a gruff veteran turned oysterman, seemed to fit the bill: marrying left-leaning policies with the blunt talk of the blue-collar men Democrats have been hoping to win back.
Some in the party fell in love. Others thought that two-term Democratic Gov. Janet Mills, who jumped in the race in mid-October, might be a less risky choice. Their point was underscored this month when an avalanche of opposition research on Platner began making headlines.
The information was largely drawn from his Reddit account, where he posted under the name "P-Hustle." The posts had something in there to offend everyone, including Platner referring to himself as a communist, calling cops "bastards," making insensitive remarks about sexual assault and arguing that Black customers don't tip.
Then came the centerpiece: the revelation that Platner had a tattoo that resembled a symbol associated with Nazis. (He's since had it covered up and has said that he did not realize the supposed Nazi connection when he got it.)
It wasn't too long ago that just one or two of those social media posts would have been enough to sink a Democratic primary campaign. But the fact that the party is even wrestling with forgiving Platner is proof of how much has changed.
As the saying goes, be careful what you wish for.
This is a preview of Eugene Daniels' latest column. Read the full column here. For more thought-provoking insights from Eugene Daniels, watch "The Weekend" every Saturday and Sunday from 7 to 10 a.m. ET on MSNBC.
