With Graham Platner Campaign, Democrats Bury the Me Too Movement

I’m old enough to remember a time when the mere hearsay of a man’s sexual misconduct, regardless of the veracity of the evidence, was deemed to be disqualifying for public office and cause for reputational ruin. Democrats took Christine Blasey Ford’s uncorroborated accusation that a 17-year-old Brett Kavanaugh assaulted her when she was 15 years old as gospel, declaring his Supreme Court nomination dead on arrival. This was an unreasonable standard that bore no relation to the one we actually practice in the United States: due process and substantiation of serious claims, especially those with life-ruining potential. But those who questioned this medieval understanding of justice were told they were traitors to women and apologists for predators.

As it turns out, the standard established during the Me Too era is, at least today, conditional on the answer to one question: Can the accused deliver more power to the Democrats? If so, then never mind.

About the Author

Caroline Downey

Caroline Downey is a staff writer for National Review.

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I’m old enough to remember a time when the mere hearsay of a man’s sexual misconduct, regardless of the veracity of the evidence, was deemed to be disqualifying for public office and cause for reputational ruin. Democrats took Christine Blasey Ford’s uncorroborated accusation that a 17-year-old Brett Kavanaugh assaulted her when she was 15 years old as gospel, declaring his Supreme Court nomination dead on arrival. This was an unreasonable standard that bore no relation to the one we actually practice in the United States: due process and substantiation of serious claims, especially those with life-ruining potential. But those who questioned this medieval understanding of justice were told they were traitors to women and apologists for predators.

As it turns out, the standard established during the Me Too era is, at least today, conditional on the answer to one question: Can the accused deliver more power to the Democrats? If so, then never mind.