COLUMBUS, Ohio — Kamala Harris is using potential vice presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg to appeal to “white” voters — “who need to be honest with ourselves and with each other about the role we have played in our nation’s history.”
Buttigieg, the transportation secretary and a leading Harris supporter, will appear virtually at a Zoom event at 8 p.m. Monday with the group “White Dudes for Harris.”
“As White Dudes, we know all too well how MAGA cynically exploits resentment,” read an email to a Post reporter from the group’s organizer, Ross Morales. “This time of crisis challenges us, but we will not let fear define who we are and lead us — or our country — down a dark path.”
“We are coming together to create a trusted space where white men can support each other and work to elect Kamala Harris as the next President of the United States.”
The group sells hats and preaches “brotherhood” in an effort to create a “space of honesty” for “white guys.”
Its key values were explained in Morales’ message.
“As white men, we are acutely aware of the toxic culture of entitlement that surrounds Donald Trump,” he wrote. “We must be honest with ourselves and each other about the role we have played in our nation’s history – good and bad. We create a space of honesty and trust, where we can support one another and work toward a new and better future.”
The letter also included a link to a “social media kit” containing pre-written messages that “white dudes” can use to try to entice others to join the group.
“The best friendships I have found with other men are based on mutual respect, trust and understanding,” one post reads. “Would you trust Donald Trump to respect you, honor your trust and support you in brotherhood?”
Buttigieg and Harris were once rivals in the presidential primaries but lost to President Biden.
Biden, 81, then withdrew from the race last week, paving the way for Vice President Harris, 59, to take his place as the party’s presumptive presidential nominee and leading Democrats like Buttigieg to find themselves in supporting roles.
Buttigieg’s support has apparently already helped.
Morales had initially called for 10,000 registrations for Monday’s virtual event, but after Buttigieg announced his participation, interest in the event apparently exploded.
“Yesterday afternoon, we sent out an email to 8,000 of you asking you to reach out to your friends and see if we could grow this small group to 20,000 people before the call on Monday. And you guys really hit it off! We’re thrilled to announce that about 10 minutes ago, we’re at 20,000 people,” Morales wrote. “Something unprecedented is happening here, and we’re a part of it together.”
The group did not explicitly say whether nonwhites will be allowed to attend, and a request for comment from the Post was not immediately answered.
Race and nationality are becoming central issues in this election, as wars continue abroad, debacles such as immigration in the United States rage and rhetoric at home becomes toxic.
New York Post
