So, it's looking like the whole Platner "controversy"

[pat_k]

19. All the hallmarks of an orchestrated smear.

I just re-read Jane Mayer's The Case of Al Franken.

Start with a drip drip, then pile everything you can possibly dig up on without looking past the surface. Release in rapid succession so there's no time for individual reports to be scrutinized. Cue outrage at "nothing terrible in isolation, but look at the number of them!"

It sure looks like the same playbook.

Perhaps Jane will do an investigation of "The Case of Graham Platner." I'd sure like to hear more background on each and every report. I suspect it comes down to the same thing. A whole lot of smoke with no actual fire.

New Yorker
The Case of Al Franken
Jane Mayer
July 22, 2019

https://web.archive.org/web/20190829044419/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/07/29/the-case-of-al-franken