Now we know exactly how sincere Hank Poitras was in his non-apology for his racist, misogynistic online history. Because what you see above is the chair of the Windham County Republican Committee cackling and sniggering his way through an OnlyFans video depicting a sex act, which he gleefully shared on his YouTube channel in an effort to defeat a candidate for school board in Chester.

Shared, need I add, in apparent violation of OnlyFans’ Acceptable Use Policy.

This story was reported by The Chester Telegraph’s Cynthia Prairie, and no one comes out of it looking good. But the main point for my purposes is, should Hank Poitras occupy a position of influence in the Vermont Republican Party? I cannot see how party chair Paul Dame or Gov. Phil Scott can possibly tolerate his presence.

The details, outlined as briefly as possible because of the very high Ick Factor:

Jesse Bailey is a candidate for school board in Chester. Apparently his wife operates an OnlyFans channel with spicy, although not overtly explicit, content. Soft core, you might say. Her channel came to Poitras’ attention, and he couldn’t resist sharing it with all the sensitivity and gravitas of a preteen who just discovered his dad’s Playboy collection.

I viewed the video so I could verify The Telegraph’s description of its content, but I’m afraid you can’t even if you wanted. While I was writing this post, the video was removed “for violating YouTube’s policy on nudity or sexual content.” That’s right, Planet Hank posted a video too offensive for the insatiable content Godzilla of the internet.

One can legitimately ask whether Bailey’s wife’s activity should be a factor in whether he should be elected to the school board. (Hell, I’d ask if Bailey gave any thought to the potential consequences of running for office when his wife is active on OnlyFans. The risk of discovery would seem to be too high.) Poitras could have done so in a more discreet way — and a more politically effective way — and a way that wouldn’t have exposed him to legal action by OnlyFans.

But Planet Hank can’t help himself. He’s just an asshole through and through. If he’s the kind of person who’s welcome in the Vermont Republican hierarchy, well, I think that speaks volumes about how deeply the rot of Trumpism has penetrated the VTGOP.

Phil Scott natters on at every opportunity about the unique civility of Vermont politics. His tolerance of Hank Poitras makes a mockery of those high-toned sentiments.