MANCHESTER, N.H. – Republican Senate candidate John E. Sununu intensified his criticism of Democratic activist Graham Platner on Wednesday, dismissing any suggestion that he could work with Platner in Washington and arguing the Maine Democrat is unfit for federal office.
Speaking with NH Journal, Sununu was asked whether he could work across the aisle with a Democrat such as Platner. Rather than emphasizing bipartisan cooperation, Sununu questioned whether Platner would ever win a seat in the U.S. Senate.
“I’m confident enough in America and the state of Maine, and Susan Collins, who’s a terrific senator, that Graham Platner will never serve in the United States Senate.”
Sununu then went harder at Platner, referencing controversies that have followed the Democrat’s political rise.
“It’s easy for me to say the socialist with the Nazi tattoo, wearing it for over a decade, is not qualified to be in the United States Senate. Someone who denigrates veterans and women and minorities, as he has done recently, is not qualified to be in the United States Senate.”
The remarks represent some of the strongest language Sununu has used against Platner, who has drawn attention from Republicans over past statements and personal controversies.
Sununu also criticized Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas, his expected opponent in New Hampshire’s Senate race, for declining to condemn Platner in similar terms.
“Chris Pappas, my opponent, is unwilling to say that, and that’s unfortunate, but maybe that’s what you were referring to earlier, the state of politics in Washington.”
New Hampshire Journal reports that Pappas has dodged the Platner question and has suggested that it is the job of Maine voters to decide.
https://twitter.com/NRSC/status/2064497773379231796/video/1?s=46
The exchange highlights how Platner has become a flashpoint in regional and national politics. The Republican ad war against Platner has already begun in earnest.
