Why was the pundit class so quick to defend Graham Platner?

Graham Platner suspended his United States Senator campaign following rape accusations. Jenny Racicot alleged to Politico that in 2021, a heavily intoxicated Platner entered her home despite her explicit instructions for him not to visit. While some influential backers previously viewed his reckless and brutish masculinity as a virtue rather than a liability, the allegations made his victory doubtful. Platner officially ended his bid via a grievance-filled video on Wednesday night after several days of delay.