Column: Democrats put forward two styles of American masculinity
The column portrays Platner as a rough-edged candidate facing scrutiny over past conduct and seeking voters’ trust.

SOURCE CHECK
TAP FOR WHYThe Los Angeles Times is an established national newspaper with professional editorial standards and a named columnist. This is clearly labeled opinion, so its argument should be distinguished from independently verified reporting.
- Source type — Established national newspaper with a substantial newsroom.
- Author attribution — The column names Robin Abcarian as its author.
- Editorial standards — The publisher is an established outlet with professional editorial practices.
The column attributes quotations and some allegations to their sources, but relies on selective examples and offers little response from the Republicans it criticizes. Its explicit opinion framing also makes it less balanced as a piece of journalism.
HOW WE SCORE ↗The column includes quotations from candidates and their opponents, but its framing is openly favorable to the Democrats and strongly critical of Republicans. It gives limited space to opposing perspectives or contextual rebuttals.
- Counterarguments presented — Republican attacks are quoted, but their rationale is not explored beyond the column's critical presentation.
- Loaded language — Uses strongly evaluative descriptions, including calling an attack source odious and unfunny.
- Opinion vs reporting — The piece is explicitly a column and advances a clear argument in favor of the Democratic candidates.
- Source diversity — Includes quotations from multiple figures but offers little independent or opposing analysis.
The column strongly favors the two Democratic candidates and uses openly critical language about Republicans and their attacks. Its framing and word choice indicate a left-leaning perspective.
- Language tone — Uses approving descriptions of the Democratic candidates and sharply negative terms for Republican figures and attacks.
- Framing — Presents the Democrats as appealing alternatives and their Republican critics as engaging in degrading attacks.
- Source selection — Quotes the candidates and a Republican attacker, but gives little context or response from other Republicans.
A Los Angeles Times opinion column contrasts Senate candidates Graham Platner and James Talarico as embodying different styles of masculinity, while weighing their campaign controversies and Republican attacks. The piece argues that both Democrats could appeal to voters and potentially help their party flip the Senate.
The column describes Platner, a former Marine running in Maine, as a rough-edged populist facing scrutiny over past conduct, including a Nazi-inspired tattoo, social media posts and alleged treatment of a former girlfriend. Platner has apologized and says he has changed, the column reports. It contrasts him with Talarico, a Texas state legislator and seminarian whose gentle manner and appeals to compassion have drawn attacks on his masculinity.
The author presents the two candidates as distinct but both potentially appealing, and criticizes Republicans’ attacks on Talarico as transphobic and homophobic. The column quotes Talarico discussing faith and public policy and quotes Ken Paxton attacking him.
Community verdict
VOTING CLOSEDNo good or bad look here
This story reports what happened without casting Platner in a good or bad light, so readers don’t rate it and it doesn’t count toward Platner’s record.
People in this story
SWIPE →Republican senator from Maine whose seat Platner is seeking
President of the United States
Democratic politician mentioned as an example in a comparison
Republican Senate candidate in Texas and attorney general who attacks Talarico
Republican senator from Texas whose seat Talarico is seeking
Part of a bigger story
50 OUTLETSReports describe former partners’ allegations of abusive or intimidating conduct by Platner, who denied them; the claims surfaced during his campaign for a Maine Senate seat. Left-leaning outlets frame the allegations through claims of political targeting and effects on Democrats’ chances, though one says Platner is squandering an electoral opening. Center outlets largely pair accounts with denials, while opinion pieces debate accountability and Democratic support. Right-leaning outlets more often present the allegations as a liability for Platner and scrutinize defenders for partisan double standards.
- ARTICLES
- 74
- OUTLETS
- 50
- AVG CRED
- 65
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