It is, one might say, a completely American media routine. Out there somewhere in this big country, some far left activist gets attention and the left leaning media loves it. This has happened so often in American politics that there is no point in denying it.  Way back in the way back - the late 1940’s and early 1950’s - there was a seemingly up-and-coming rising star inside the castle of the American Left. His name was Alger Hiss. Hiss was perfectly credentialed. A Harvard Law grad, followed by jobs in various branches of Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal and the successor Truman administration, holding this or that job in the Justice Department and eventually the State Department. Eventually, Hiss was, as it were, “ratted out” by a State Department colleague named Whittaker Chambers. Ratted out as a Communist spy. Not good, and a decided attention-getter. All you-know-what broke out, very much in the public and drawing in the Congress. Alger Hiss became a household name, and, yes, was eventually convicted of being a spy and sentenced to several years in the federal pen.  Suffice to say, the American media of the day ate it up. So too did Republicans in the day, notably in that category a young California Congressman named Richard Nixon. This piece of ancient history comes to mind as a new figure on the Left is increasingly the focus of today’s media. That would be a here-to-fore unknown Maine Democrat activist named Graham Platner. And with all the certainty of rain on on a cloudy day, today’s media has zeroed in on Platner. Platner being the Democrat candidate for the Maine Senate seat now held by Republican Senator Susan Collins. The arrival of Platner on the scene is, to a media perpetually desperate for a headlining personality with a colorful personality, manna from heaven. Because Democrats can never find anyone anti-Trump enough for the base. A reminder? This is a mid-term election year, and in fact that means a seemingly endless parade of races for the US House, the Senate, various governorships and who knows what else in the way of local elections for state legislatures across the country.  But with all of that swirling around out there the political press is increasingly focused on -- you guessed it -- Graham Platner.  He’s a ripe 42 years old, and, no kidding, an oyster farmer and Marine Corps veteran. In terms of media fodder Platner is doubtless seen by some Democrats as a perfect candidate -- and that goes even with, the realization that his shirtless revelation revealed he long wore a Nazi tattoo.  And that view of Platner as a symbol is shared by Republicans. Notably Texas GOP Senator Ted Cruz has released this fundraising note, saying:  The Far-Left is trying to turn America into a socialist nightmare, and their new problem child in Maine is the most dangerous one yet. His name is Graham Platner. He is a self-described communist who literally has a Nazi symbol tattooed on his chest. You would think that would be a bridge too far for the Democrats. But Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders will back anyone if it means seizing total control. The stakes could not be higher. If we lose Maine, we lose our Senate majority. Everything we have fought for will be destroyed by the radical left. I am calling on you to be a 1-in-50 American patriot. We need you to step up right now before it is too late. The point here is simple. The Platner story is a decidedly American media gold rush. As with Alger Hiss decades ago (and Hiss never ran for office but became a symbol pro and con for those who were running), Platner is, thanks to the media, quickly becoming the centerpiece of the Democrat campaigns across the country. With Democrat candidates in states far from Maine being asked by local media about where they stand on Graham Platner. Is this fair? No. But that’s not the point. The point is that this is an election year and Platner has quickly become a grade-A subject for media across the country. An easy Google and there are Platner write-ups in everything from The New York Times to the Associated Press, Politico, The Hill, ABC News and the local Maine Monitor. And there are more. And, as noted, Senator Cruz already has a fundraising appeal out there focused on Platner. His bio will be out there. And so will photos of Platner’s shirtless self be everywhere, as with this one on Fox News.  And note. This is written in the middle of June. The elections are not until November, almost a full six months away. The pressure and attention from the media on Platner and his campaign will do nothing but build-and build and build. All of which is to say, and not for the first time, the election has begun. And the media is on the case. Make that Graham Platner’s case. Buckle in.