Democrat leaders are abandoning Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner because they believe he has become a political liability rather than out of principle, a response that mirrors the party's handling of former President Joe Biden during the 2024 campaign, pollster Jim McLaughlin told Newsmax on Tuesday.

McLaughlin said on Newsmax's "Wake Up America" that prominent Democrats initially stood by Platner following a Politico report detailing an assault allegation, but suggested their support began to erode as the political consequences became more apparent.

"It's all about the polls. I lived this during the [Donald] Trump campaign," McLaughlin said. "Remember right after the debate, they told us, 'Oh, Joe Biden was fine,' and [former President] Barack Obama came out and supported him because they thought the poll numbers were still OK. And then gradually, slowly but surely, it looked like he was going to lose. So they swapped him out."

McLaughlin argued Democrat leaders are now following what he described as the same political playbook with Platner.

"That's what they're doing here with Graham Platner," he said.

The comments came after several high-profile Democrats reportedly distanced themselves from Platner following the Politico report, while others faced scrutiny over whether they would continue backing his campaign.

McLaughlin criticized top Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, accusing them of putting electoral considerations ahead of principle.

"And quite honestly, it's shameful when you've got these people like Chuck Schumer, and you had Elizabeth Warren — and Bernie Sanders, by the way, as best as I can tell, is still supporting him," McLaughlin said.

He argued the differing responses underscore what he views as a broader pattern within the Democratic Party.

"With the Democrats, it has nothing to do with principle," McLaughlin said. "It's all about power."

GET TODAY NEWSMAX+:

NEWSMAX is the fastest-growing cable news channel in America with more than 30 million people watching!

Reuters Institute reports NEWSMAX is one of the top news brands in the U.S.

You need to watch NEWSMAX today.

Get it with great shows from Rob Schmitt, Greta Van Susteren, Greg Kelly, Carl Higbie, Rob Finnerty – and many more!

Find the NEWSMAX channel on your cable system – Go Here Now

BEST OFFER:

Sign up for NEWSMAX+ and get NEWSMAX, our streaming channel NEWSMAX2 and our military channel World at War.

Find hundreds of shows, movies and specials.

Even get Jon Voight's special series and President Trump's comedy programs and much more!

Watch NEWSMAX+ on your smartphone or home TV app.

Watch NEWSMAX anytime, anywhere!

Start your FREE trial now: NewsmaxPlus.com