It is either/or. You either think policy is the most important component in an election, or you think the performance should take precedence.
And let's be real honest here. Platner's problem is that he is of a demographic where social media histories now exist. Do you think, in your heart of hearts, that various politicians you've supported in the past weren't saying similar things in private? Who don't still make similar remarks and jokes? Millennials on down are going to have to grapple with people talking online before they're famous as if they're in private with their friends. There are older politicians now that you could tell me still talk exactly like Platner did in that Reddit history, and I wouldn't even be passingly surprised. A couple names come to mind of politicians with tempers and a reputation for colorful language in private. Their conversations just weren't posted to the internet.
Hell, we had politicians telling us to our face they thought less of our lives and relationships, and we still tripped over ourselves to support them. Some . . . much later than you would think.
I think being this pressed about the passages that have been cited so far comes from a place of comfort. In a kind of, "If this is the worst thing that's happened to you today," kind of way.
We both have privilege I think, which gives us the luxury on how to exercise it.
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