Political analyst Michael BaroneRecently recalledHere's how a Boston woman decided to vote a few years ago: “I'm just going to look at the ballot and vote for all the good Irish names.”
For decades, party officials have relied on ethnicity as a way to balance candidates.
“Connecticut Democratic Party Chairman John Bailey said,Three are“: Irish, Italian and Israeli. Candidates from these ethnic backgrounds often occupy the top three spots on his Democratic candidate list.
Republicans have also played the ethnic card.
In 1960, Richard Nixon emphasized solidarity with the predominantly Catholic countries trapped behind the Iron Curtain.48,000 foreign language buttonsheldFree AssemblyIn cities with large Polish populations (such as Buffalo and Chicago), the famous Nixon-Khrushchev “Kitchen Debate.”
In 1979, I Interviewed Connecticut's Democratic governor, Ella T. Grasso, argued that ethnicity was becoming outdated because of the role that television and image-makers play in political campaigns. Grasso's response was a stern rebuke: “You're so wrong. Ethnicity is alive and well in this country.”
She was right.
In our binary world, we often think of race and ethnicity in simple terms: black or white, majority (white) or minority (other races). But the world has changed.
Over 33 million people chose two or more racesThis growing group of Americans is especially vulnerable when it comes to filling out their 2020 Census forms.Young peoplewill be important in 2024.
RecentPew ReportFor example, it was found that 41% of registered voters believe Kamala Harris' African-American and Asian ancestry will give her an advantage in the November election, while 51% believe that as a white male, Trump's ethnic background is irrelevant.
Both the Harris and Trump campaigns have prioritized appealing to racial and gender groups. Kamala Harris:Black women support Harris,White men who support HarrisandLatino Harris WaltzDonald Trump isWomen who support Trump,Black voices supporting Trumpand Latinos Support Trump.
For Harris, these appeals have had political benefits. For example,40,000 black womenCelebrities who joined Harris on her Zoom callWhite men who support HarrisRaised$4 millionDuring one internet outing.
But organizing solely along the lines of race and gender ignores a more complex political reality: White voters often think of themselves in terms of their ethnic heritage, not their race.
The Harris campaign has launched a coordinated outreach effort to these voters, including: Irish Americans support Harris-Waltz The Paisanos are backing Harris, led by Rep. Nancy Pelosi (R-Calif.), who has a deep connection to Baltimore's ethnic politics. As a nativeunderstands the need to appeal to ethnic groups.
Irish and Italian voters remain large minorities, according to the latest U.S. Census.39 millionApproximately 70% of the US population is of Irish descent.17 million AmericansThey were of Italian descent.
But one group of voters that is often overlooked are those with ancestry in Central and Eastern European countries, especially in the so-called “Blue Wall” states of Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.High concentrationof voters from these countries.
And Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District is another key target in 2024 because it allocates one electoral vote separately from the rest of the state.Highest concentrationPercentage of Czech Americans found in the United States
During the Harris vs. Trump debate, Kamala Harris made a special appeal to Polish Americans in Pennsylvania.attentionIf Russia wins in Ukraine, “Putin will sit in Kiev and turn his attention to the rest of Europe, starting with Poland.”
Harris then said,ChallengeHe told his opponent: “Why don’t you tell the 800,000 Polish Americans in Pennsylvania how quickly you’re willing to let them go? [in Ukraine] “For a favor…to a dictator who will eat you for lunch.” Donald TrumpIgnoredHer provocation andRefusal to sayWhich side did he want to win in Ukraine?
This runs counter to the sentiment expressed by the majority of Americans. Recent Opinion Polls Found 63 percent While I feel sorry for Ukraine, 3 percent Those who said they were sympathetic to Russia were 21 to 1. And when asked directly who they wanted to win, 72 percent Ukraine responded.
Harris' exchange with Trump was inappropriately criticized by President Gerald Ford. Claimed“Soviet domination of Eastern Europe does not exist and never will exist under the Ford Administration.”
Jimmy CarterIt immediately attackedOn Ford's unforced errors:
“I hope that Mr. Ford can convince the Polish, Czech and Hungarian Americans in this country that their countries are not under the control and surveillance of the Soviet Union behind the Iron Curtain.”
In a very close election, Ford's polling firmRemembering Bob Teeter“This controversy has consumed precious campaign days that were running out at a time when steady gains in the polls must be maintained.”
AsPolitico recentlyFord's statement could have changed the course of history. Without that mistake, Ford might have been able to close the gap with Carter and the Reagan Revolution might never have happened.
Harris vs. Trump fightVery closeand appeals to ethnicity are important. Consider:9 million AmericansThere are many Polish Americans living in the United States, and Harris' appeal67 millionWatching this debate is a very smart political exercise.
Close elections are won and lost by small margins. The campaign that most effectively appeals to ethnically-oriented voters is one that's built to win. For now, give the edge to Kamala Harris.
John Kenneth White (John Kenneth White) is a professor emeritus at the Catholic University of America. His latest book is “Grand Old Unraveling: The Republican Party, Donald Trump, and the Rise of Authoritarianism.”
