CNN political analyst Scott Jennings accused Democrats of prioritizing transgender individuals over traditional male voters, particularly men of color.
The remarks came during a discussion on CNN‘s State of the Union program, as political strategists debated the party’s struggles with male voters heading into the November 5 election.
Jennings, a veteran GOP strategist, didn’t hold back when addressing the Democrats’ recent attempts to shore up support among men. “I think what they are now finally in October, the election, coming to realize is that a lot of men think Democrats care more about dudes who want to become women than dudes who just want to be dudes,” he declared.
Newsweek contacted Harris’ campaign via email on Sunday for comment.
The comments come as Vice President Kamala Harris‘ campaign intensifies efforts to engage Black male voters in particular.
These initiatives include hosting tailgate events at Historically Black College and University (HBCU) homecomings and Harris’ appearance on “All The Smoke,” a podcast hosted by two former NBA stars Stephen Jackson and Matt Barnes, where she discussed her identity more openly than she typically does on the campaign trail.
This weekend, Harris is in North Carolina meeting with local Black leaders. Her itinerary includes attending a church service in Greenville on Sunday, followed by a rally. Greenville, located in Eastern North Carolina, is part of a region with a significant Black population but where voter turnout has been lower in recent years.
Former President Barack Obama has recently come under fire for his plea to Black men to support Harris. During an unscheduled stop at a campaign field office in Pennsylvania, Obama criticized male voters for “coming up with all kinds of reasons and excuses” to avoid backing a woman for president.
Despite these efforts, recent polls paint a complex picture of the male vote. A recent New York Times/Siena poll from October 8 found former President Donald Trump leading among male voters by 11 points, with 42 percent of this demographic saying Trump’s policies personally benefited them. This represents a significant shift from 2020 when Trump won male voters by just 2 points.
However, the Harris campaign can find some encouragement in a Harvard Institute of Politics survey conducted between September 4 and 16. This poll of over 2,000 young adults showed Harris holding a 17-point lead among young men compared to Trump.
The remarks have ignited debate over the Democratic Party‘s messaging and priorities, particularly concerning LGBTQ rights and traditional male voters.
A March 2024 survey by independent pollster PRRI found that 68 percent of voters will consider LGBTQ rights at the polls, with 30 percent stating they would vote only for a candidate who shares their views on the issue.
This heightened focus on LGBTQ rights has been reflected in both major parties’ platforms.
The Republican Party has pledged to cut federal funding for gender-affirming care and restrict transgender students’ participation in sports. In contrast, the Democratic Party has promised to outlaw discrimination against LGBTQ people, including passing the Equality Act, which would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in housing, health care, and public accommodations.
Vice President Harris has a long history of advocating for LGBTQ rights. As San Francisco’s district attorney, she established a hate crimes unit to prosecute violence against LGBTQ youth in schools. Later, as California’s attorney general, she declined to defend the state’s ban on same-sex marriage when it faced constitutional challenges.
In response to these challenges, a group called “White Dudes for Harris” has emerged, aiming to rally white male voters behind the Vice President’s presidential bid.
The organization, which claims to have 75,000 registered participants, held a mass video call featuring transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg and ‘Star Wars’ actor Mark Hamill in July shortly after President Joe Biden withdrew from the 2024 race to make way for Harris.
Mark Greene, the group’s organizer and an author who writes about masculinity, framed the initiative as a counterpoint to what he describes as the Republican Party’s “bullying and rigid dominance-based culture of masculinity.”
The group is calling on white men to actively support Harris over the next 100 days through social media and workplace advocacy.
Jennings dismissed the Democrats’ recent attempts to appeal to male voters, including what he termed “hunting cosplay” – likely referring to Democratic vice-presidential nominee Tim Walz’s widely publicized hunting trip, during which he struggled to load a shotgun in front of the media. “No hunting, cosplay, or cringy videos are going to change it. The bed is made,” he said.
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