There are still pockets of the Democratic electorate where voters’ views of gay people aren’t as liberal. That poses potential problems for Pete Buttigieg, who has to run a national campaign. via FiveThirtyEight
, and multiple studies by political scientists have suggested that Democrats are especially unlikely to discriminate against candidates like Buttigieg. “If anything, there are some subgroups of Democrats who would belikely to vote for a gay candidate,” said Gabriele Magni, a political science professor at Loyola Marymount University.
Stop there, and you’d have a pretty rosy electoral prognosis for Buttigieg — focus group skepticism notwithstanding. But it also isn’t the full story. Some Democrats haven’t moved as quickly to the left as others on gay rights issues. And a substantial chunk of Republicans are still comfortable saying they wouldn’t support a gay candidate.
Just a few election cycles ago, a debate about the electoral impact of a gay candidate’s sexual orientation would have had a clear answer — because being gay was a dealbreaker for almost half the country. As, only 55 percent of Americans said they would vote for a gay or lesbian candidate for president, which is only slightly higher than the share who currently say they would vote for a socialist.
There are plenty of signs, too, that a Democratic primary is particularly friendly terrain for a gay candidate. Political scientists have found in studies and interviews with candidates that gay and lesbian candidates
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Virginia Democrats take control of state legislature for first time in over two decadesVoter animosity toward Trump has powered Democratic gains in the state in recent elections.
Read more »
Opinion | Elizabeth Warren’s Health-Care Hara-KiriFrom WSJopinion: In detailing her plan for Medicare for All, Elizabeth Warren may well have penned a suicide note. There’s no reason for the entire Democratic Party to sign it, writes BillGalston.
Read more »
Democratic candidate Kamala Harris' friends talk about her upbringingSen. Kamala Harris' friends on her upbringing: 'She was one to not let anyone tell her who she was.'
Read more »
Exclusive: Economist who backed Warren healthcare plan has doubts about her wealth taxA leading economist who vouched for Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth ...
Read more »
Suburban revolt boosts Democrats in the age of Trump: AnalysisANALYSIS: Democratic candidates saw their vote margins boosted last night by suburban voters—and women in particular—overcoming the call of Trumpism in a range of races, write rickklein and kendallkarson.
Read more »