Dem NJ Senators Booker, Kim have 'concerns' about Maine's Platner while leftist pundits run cover for Nazi tattoo

Democratic Sens. Cory Booker and Andy Kim have both expressed concern about Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner as the candidate faces renewed scrutiny over past comments and a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol.

During a recent interview, Booker was asked whether he was concerned that Platner could hurt Democratic chances of winning a Senate seat in Maine.

"Yeah, I have concerns. The guy has questions to answer." Booker responded.

Kim was also pressed on the controversy during a separate interview. Asked twice whether he had concerns about Platner, the New Jersey senator declined to directly answer. “I haven’t been able to focus as much on this... voters will decide,” Kim said.

When asked again, “What do you think?” Kim replied, “I have not met him.”

The comments come after accusations of marital infidelity against his wife. It also comes as newly uncovered Reddit posts linked to Platner continue to generate controversy. According to the Free Beacon, a 2012 comment attributed to an account associated with Platner described him as "crudely atheist" and included remarks about Christianity. 

Responding to a discussion about religion in the military, the account wrote: "What units is this shit in? I've spent 8 years in the infantry, Marine Corps and Army, and I've been about as crudely atheist as one can be the entire time (zombie jesus jokes and Mary sucking at covering up being a skank, as examples)."

The post was made under the username "P-Hustle," an account that has been linked to Platner. The account has since been deleted, though the comment remains visible.

The Reddit controversy follows earlier backlash surrounding a chest tattoo that Platner previously acknowledged resembled the Nazi SS Totenkopf skull-and-crossbones symbol. Platner apologized after the tattoo drew national attention, saying he and fellow Marines received matching tattoos while in Croatia in 2007 because they believed the design "looked cool."

He later altered the tattoo and wrote, "I was appalled to learn it closely resembled a Nazi symbol. I altered it yesterday, into something that isn't deeply offensive to my core beliefs."

Additional past Reddit posts attributed to Platner include references to having an "Antifa supersoldier" label on his armor, criticism of police, comments questioning why black people "don’t tip," and statements arguing that firearms are necessary to "fight fascism."