Regarding the article “Graham Platner’s campaign manager steps down, cites wife’s pregnancy” (Oct. 27), the only new development was included in the headline. The real intended takeaway is that readers remember “a string of controversies surrounding Platner”; “the latest shake-up for Platner’s campaign”; “embroiled in controversies”; “Platner’s past comments include … “; “his campaign hampered by a series of old social media comments”; “his campaign disclosed his skull-and-crossbones tattoo…”. 

Now, review other recent articles regarding Platner. Note the repetition. It is clear who is doing the broiling here. Each one of these phrases has been recycled nearly verbatim in article after article. It doesn’t even qualify as journalism; it is cutting and pasting. “Repeat, repeat and people will internalize it” is the ethic. Such lazy journalism would be laughable if it were not so seriously intended to sow doubt and fear about Mr. Platner. Some of us readers pay attention.  

Paul Cunningham 
South Portland