Here’s What Dems Must Do to Make Inroads With Young White Dudes

The campaign did send out Coach Tim Walz on a pheasant-hunting trip to appeal to men, although he looked really awkward.

I came across this really long post from Mike Nellis, former senior adviser to Kamala Harris and organizer of White Dudes for Harris. The organizer of White Dudes for Harris has been doing a lot of thinking about why white men are so drawn to MAGA. His post is really long, but stick with it to learn why white dudes for Harris think young white men are so angry and distrustful of the Democratic Party.

I’ve seen a lot of questions about why white men—especially young white men—seem so angry, distrustful of the Democratic Party, or drawn to MAGA-ism. I've been studying this issue for awhile now and I wanted to share some thoughts. If we want to make inroads with white dudes, we…

— Mike Nellis (@MikeNellis) October 16, 2024

 If we want to make inroads with white dudes, we need to understand what’s happening.

First, economic opportunities are shrinking. Young men are struggling with stagnant wages and fewer job prospects, making it harder for them to gain independence, start families, or even feel secure in adulthood. That instability makes many susceptible to the MAGA whirlpool.

Second, there’s a major education gap. Fewer men are graduating from college compared to women, which has serious consequences for their long-term economic and social stability. Kamala Harris is doing well with educated white men, but not with those who didn’t finish college. That difference impacts their prospects and feeds into larger societal issues, which is why we need to make it a lot easier for people to go to college without racking up debt.

Third, we’re facing a mental health and social isolation crisis. Young men are lonelier and struggling with mental health issues at higher rates, partly fueled by social media and the erosion of traditional community institutions (churches, men’s groups, etc.). White men in America are four times more likely to commit suicide than any other group. This is a national crisis, and we’re barely talking about it. 

Fourth, there’s an identity crisis. Gender roles and societal expectations are shifting (which is a good thing!), and young men are left wondering where they fit in. Without positive role models, many gravitate toward toxic figures like Donald Trump, because at least someone is speaking to their frustrations—however inartfully (which is being generous). Democrats haven’t done enough to offer better alternatives, though I think we’re starting to, with people like Tim Walz, Pete Buttigieg, and Doug Emhoff stepping up as strong role models.

Fifth, forming relationships—especially romantic ones—has become harder. Economic pressures and the rise of online dating have created new dynamics that are disincentivizing young men (and women, for that matter) from building meaningful connections. This only adds to their sense of isolation and fuels resentment, particularly toward women and those who are economically better off.

Lastly, there's a deep cynicism and lack of trust in institutions. Many young men no longer believe the American Dream is for them, or that they have a place in a society that’s rapidly changing. The old American mythology is crumbling around them, and with it goes their belief in a stable future. That loss of trust is driving them toward more extreme solutions and making it harder for them to feel invested in collective progress.

All of these factors—along with others I haven’t mentioned—are creating a perfect storm of resentment and frustration among young white men. But these issues are real and addressable. The problem is, for too long, Democrats have retreated from engaging in spaces where these men are, leaving them to only hear from one side.

That’s why I’ve been pushing for @KamalaHarris to go on Joe Rogan and praising @PeteButtigieg for going on Fox News. We need to enter these spaces and have real conversations about the issues white men are facing. Will it win all of them over? No. But if we can win over even a small fraction, it makes it much harder for Trump and MAGAism to win nationally.

We can’t keep acting like white men don’t have real issues. Everyone is suffering from something, and everyone deserves to have that suffering addressed by their government. If we address these issues with the same seriousness we give to other communities, we won’t win them all—but we don’t have to. We’re building a multicultural coalition to move this country forward, but we can’t ignore the real challenges young white men are facing.

"People like Tim Walz, Pete Buttigieg, and Doug Emhoff stepping up as strong role models."

But wait, it gets even more insufferable:

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Doug P.

I must admit, I cringed reading most of this.
I feel that one thing you didn't address is the systemic entitlement bestowed upon white men in the US.
That sense of entitlement, that privilege they've felt for eternity is eroding.
And they don't know how to deal with their…

— Phantomgurl (@MelissaDaly326) October 16, 2024

… And they don't know how to deal with their feelings. (Which takes us to your point about mental health)

Additionally, these issues have plagued men of every race except white in the US for eternity. 

I agree that we need to stop ignoring the issue & find a way to face it & attempt to repair it. Unfortunately, I don't know that sending people that MAGA already hates to do Fox interviews, is really gonna sway the needle on absolutely anything.

Harris should go on Joe Rogan's podcast? But New York Times editorial board member Mara Gay told me on MSNBC that young white men are listening to Rogan and becoming fascist. Ashley Parker wrote in the Washington Post that "without a doubt, there’s a group of men who thinks he’s an alpha male who is going to solve all our problems by flexing his muscles."

So what are we white dudes supposed to do? Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff may be a progressive sex symbol, but he doesn't appeal to young white dudes.

“with people like Tim Walz, Pete Buttigieg, and Doug Emhoff stepping up as strong role models.”

A guy who lied about being in combat and a guy who smacks women around and impregnates the nanny are a strong role models? https://t.co/UYwnI73WBE

— Mark Hemingway (@Heminator) October 17, 2024

None of those should be considered role models for the average white man.

— Suburban Mom (@kathismoak) October 17, 2024

I don’t like any of these men, I don’t respect any of these men. Men like this remind me of the most annoying people I have known in my life. I really think they never get pushback because regular people are just polite.

— Glenn Diagram (@GlennAndTonic) October 17, 2024

Mike’s screed is one of the most effeminate things I’ve ever read.

— AC's Dad (@RollTideJT) October 17, 2024

Mike Nellis pic.twitter.com/5QoRPWSavP

— Archibald Chase (@RomanCraig88) October 17, 2024

A white dude for Harris can't understand why sending Walz out on a hunting photo-op isn't winning over young white dudes. Manly man David Hogg said that Walz is what "healthy masculinity" looks like. USA Today said that Emhoff embodies (and redefines) masculinity. They said this after word got out that he slapped his ex-girlfriend and got the nanny pregnant.

I'm one of those white dudes who has fallen for the toxic masculinity of Donald Trump. The guy who wants to make America great again. To white dudes for Harris, America was never great.

Harris doesn't have a lot of time to gain ground with white (and black and Hispanic) men. Sending out Walz in a flannel shirt is the best her campaign has come up with.

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