The Democratic Party is noticeably lacking in masculinity, which isn’t surprising considering that, for the past 20 years, Democrats and their media allies have been actively portraying masculinity as “toxic.” This approach has led to various issues, most notably the party’s inability to connect with men, resulting in the loss of a significant voting bloc that traditionally influences their wives’ votes as well.
It seems, however, that Democrats haven’t learned from their mistakes. Even CNN’s Dana Bash pointed out that the DNC is promoting figures like Kamala Harris’s VP pick, Tim Walz, and Harris’s husband, Doug Emhoff—men who don’t resonate with those who value traditional masculinity.
As Bash spoke on this topic, it appeared she quickly regretted it, as she carefully chose her words to avoid alienating masculine men from the Democratic Party. I transcribed what she said below, editing out the “ums” and pauses as Bash struggled to clarify her point.
“They are doing so in trying to put forward male figures—Tim Walz being one of them, Doug Emhoff last night—who can speak to men out there who might not be the sort of testosterone-laden… ya know, gun-toting kind of guy who wants to listen to Hulk Hogan, and the kind of players that came out of the RNC,” Bash said.
Bash then tried to pivot by suggesting that masculinity can include supporting a woman president.
“In addition, understand that it’s okay in 2024 to be a man comfortable in his own skin who supports a woman,” Bash added. “And that’s something they’re really trying to work on with male voters beyond the base.”
Bash is highlighting a problem that many Democratic strategists are grappling with, including James Carville, who would probably tear his hair out over it if he had any left. Men, particularly young men, are rapidly moving away from the Democratic Party and embracing conservatism. While Democrats might be confused by this trend, it’s clear to anyone paying attention.
As I’ve discussed before, demonizing men and masculinity is costing Democrats dearly, especially with Gen Z. If Democrats were smart, they’d stop vilifying men simply for being men and quit portraying their very essence as problematic. But they won’t. A large part of their platform is built on a version of “feminism” that doesn’t seem to support women much either. As a result, men will continue to distance themselves from the Democratic Party, leaving behind these feminized men that, frankly, no one seems to like.
Bash isn’t wrong. The DNC is certainly appealing to men who have distanced themselves from traditional masculinity, but this strategy isn’t exactly winning them any new supporters.
