During a recent episode of ABC's The View, co-host Joy Behar openly dismissed the Democratic Party's concerns over losing support among male voters. The discussion was prompted by a New York Times report on the Democrats' new $20 million initiative, Speaking with American Men: A Strategic Plan, aimed at understanding and reclaiming the male demographic through targeted language and messaging.
The initiative comes as party strategists and donors face the reality of a significant drop in male support over several election cycles, particularly highlighted in the last presidential race. With the rise of podcasts and digital platforms as influential political spaces, President Donald Trump's appearances on shows hosted by Joe Rogan and Theo Von were noted for increasing his reach among audiences. This strategy underscored the impact of direct and authentic communication, something Democrats are reportedly striving to emulate with a progressive media personality akin to Joe Rogan.
However, Behar's response to the initiative was one of skepticism. With a wave of her hand, she quipped, "Twenty million bucks just to talk to boys," and posited that the funds could be better allocated to "teaching men to not be such sexists." Her remarks were met with applause from the audience. Co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin challenged Behar's stance, pointing out Trump's expanding support among groups traditionally leaning Democratic, including black and Hispanic voters.
The conversation turned to the perceived sexism in politics, with Behar suggesting Trump's victory over Kamala Harris in the vice-presidential race was influenced by gender bias. When Griffin questioned if Behar attributed the Democratic defection to sexism, Behar admitted uncertainty but remained suspicious of the situation.
Griffin further criticized the Democratic Party's approach, suggesting that hiring consultants to bridge the gap with male voters indicated a disconnect from their base. She underscored the importance of authenticity, as demonstrated by Rogan and Von, and noted Rogan's previous endorsement of Bernie Sanders, suggesting that the Democrats' policy decisions alienated potential allies.
Behar's remarks have since sparked discussions on social media and among political commentators, highlighting differing views on the best approach for Democrats to engage with and win back male voters.
