The Gender Divide, Voter Turnout, and Political Strategy in the 2024 Election with Sarah Longwell, Simon Rosenberg, and Larry Mantle
Summary of This Conversation Prepared by Jews United for Democracy & Justice
In a recent episode of America at a Crossroads, political commentators Sarah Longwell from The Bulwark and Simon Rosenberg from The Hopium Chronicles joined Larry Mantle to discuss critical issues shaping the 2024 presidential race. With election day approaching, their conversation covered voter turnout, the growing gender divide, and the strategic approaches being taken by both campaigns. As the political landscape shifts, the insights they shared offer a glimpse into the high-stakes strategies of Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump.
The Gender Divide in Voter Support
Trump’s Appeal to Male Voters
A significant topic of discussion was the widening gender gap in voter preferences. Simon Rosenberg noted that Vice President Harris is gaining overwhelming support from women, while Trump’s base remains predominantly male. According to Rosenberg, this gender divide extends beyond simple demographics and into the realm of cultural influence.
“Harris is benefiting from overwhelming support among women, while Trump’s base remains dominated by men,” Rosenberg observed. He pointed out that Trump is strategically tapping into a male-dominated subculture known as the “manosphere,” which includes influencers like Andrew Tate and Joe Rogan, whose messages resonate with young male voters.
Impact of the ‘Manosphere’ and Cultural Influence
Sarah Longwell elaborated on the cultural dynamics at play, explaining that Trump’s appeal to male voters is being reinforced through influencers in the manosphere, which stretches from self-improvement influencers to tech figures like Elon Musk. This ecosystem has created a platform for Trump to alienate women while deepening his connection with male voters.
“Trump is leaning into this male-dominated ecosystem,” Longwell explained, adding that while this strategy might help shore up his male base, it risks alienating women—particularly suburban female voters. Longwell also highlighted that men who are married or have close relationships with women may reconsider their support for Trump as his policies have significantly impacted women’s rights.
Voter Turnout: The Key to Success
Mobilizing the Democratic Grassroots Army
One of the most critical factors for both campaigns is voter turnout. Simon Rosenberg emphasized the Democratic Party’s massive grassroots mobilization effort, describing it as one of the largest in the party’s history.
“We have the biggest grassroots army we’ve ever had,” Rosenberg stated, highlighting that this well-organized effort—combined with an extended early voting period—positions Democrats to maximize voter turnout. He noted that the Harris campaign has experienced an explosion of volunteer support, which could prove decisive as the election approaches.
Trump’s Challenge with Low-Propensity Voters
While Democrats focus on voter engagement through their grassroots network, Longwell expressed concern about Trump’s reliance on low-propensity voters—those who typically don’t engage in the electoral process. Trump’s campaign is counting on turning out young male voters, a group historically known for low participation rates.
“If I were Trump, I’d be worried if my success hinged on young men, especially those who historically do not vote,” Longwell remarked. She noted that while this demographic may express strong support for Trump, the real challenge will be converting that support into actual votes on election day.
Battleground States and Abortion as a Decisive Issue
The Importance of Pennsylvania
Longwell stressed the significance of key battleground states, particularly Pennsylvania, in determining the election’s outcome. “Pennsylvania is the ball game,” she asserted, emphasizing that Harris needs to prioritize this state to ensure her success. Although Harris is performing better than Biden did among key demographic groups, such as Hispanic and Black voters, Pennsylvania remains a tight race, and turning out voters in this state will be crucial.
Abortion as a Mobilizing Factor
The discussion also covered the potential impact of abortion as a central issue in battleground states like Arizona and Nevada. Longwell pointed out that state ballot measures on abortion could increase voter turnout, particularly among women.
“Abortion is going to be one of the number one issues, especially in tight states like Arizona,” Longwell predicted. This issue is likely to motivate voters who are concerned about the potential rollback of reproductive rights, providing Harris with a key advantage in states where the abortion debate remains a hot topic.
Conclusion
As the 2024 election nears, voter turnout, the gender divide, and strategic focus on battleground states will shape the final outcome. While Harris benefits from broad grassroots support and enthusiasm among women, Trump’s strategy relies heavily on energizing low-propensity male voters. Whether this will be enough to counter Harris’ diverse coalition remains to be seen as the campaigns enter the final stretch.
About America at a Crossroads
Since April 2020, America at a Crossroads has produced weekly virtual programs on topics related to the preservation of our democracy, voting rights, freedom of the press, and a wide array of civil rights, including abortion rights, free speech, and free press. America at a Crossroads is a project of Jews United for Democracy & Justice.