The Case for Being Okay With A White Male Democratic Ticket: Why the Democrats Need to Embrace the Broader Coalition
By Michael Kelman Portney
In recent decades, the Democratic Party has evolved into a coalition that champions diversity, equity, and inclusion, making it the party of representation for various racial, gender, and socioeconomic groups. While this focus has brought critical issues to the forefront, it has also created a delicate balancing act when it comes to selecting candidates. Today, Democrats often feel compelled to diversify their ticket by selecting candidates who represent different racial and gender identities. However, this approach can unintentionally limit the party’s ability to choose candidates based purely on their electability, experience, and policy vision.
To secure a stronger coalition and reach a broader range of voters, the Democrats must be comfortable with the possibility of running two white men on a ticket when it best serves the party’s goals. Rather than exclusively prioritizing identity representation in ticket composition, the Democratic Party should have the confidence to run qualified white male candidates without apologizing or fearing backlash. This paper explores why this approach could strengthen the Democratic Party’s appeal, foster unity across its diverse coalition, and create a winning strategy for future elections.
1. Recognizing the Need for Electability and Experience
A. The Importance of Choosing Candidates for Their Strengths
In the quest to build a representative coalition, the Democratic Party risks prioritizing identity over core qualities like experience, leadership, and political strategy. When selecting candidates, focusing on their qualifications, policy expertise, and vision for the country should take precedence over the need to create a demographically diverse ticket.
Experience as a Primary Qualification: White male candidates often bring decades of experience and a proven record in government, foreign policy, or economic reform, which are key assets in national elections. By being open to running a ticket based purely on these qualifications, the Democratic Party can prioritize candidates with a strong chance of winning.
Flexibility in Ticket Composition: Having the flexibility to select two qualified white male candidates allows the party to consider all potential leaders without feeling constrained by optics. If a particular ticket is uniquely qualified to address pressing issues, the party should embrace it.
B. Focusing on Electability in Diverse Regions
Running two white men on a ticket could be an asset in regions where the Democrats have lost ground, especially in working-class, suburban, and rural areas. These communities may feel disconnected from the progressive focus on identity and diversity and might respond more favorably to a ticket that resonates with their economic and cultural concerns.
Rebuilding Trust in Key Regions: Many white male voters, particularly in the Midwest and South, feel alienated by identity-driven politics. Running a ticket that prioritizes universal concerns could help Democrats rebuild trust in these regions.
Recognizing Broader Appeal: A white male ticket may resonate with moderate and independent voters who see experience and policy over identity as key factors in their voting decisions. This broader appeal can be instrumental in winning swing states and expanding the Democratic base.
2. Moving Beyond Identity Politics to a Message of Unity
A. Running on a Platform for All Americans
The Democrats have a unique opportunity to demonstrate that they represent all Americans by choosing candidates who reflect the issues that impact everyone. Rather than focusing on racial and gender identity as the centerpiece of their ticket, the party could run candidates who emphasize policies that benefit all citizens—regardless of race, gender, or background.
Universal Policy Focus: A Democratic ticket centered on policies that improve healthcare, education, infrastructure, and job opportunities sends a powerful message that the party’s agenda is for everyone. This inclusive approach reduces the perception that the party is overly focused on identity, which can alienate some voters.
A Message of Unity: By running two white men and focusing on common ground issues, the Democrats can unify their coalition around shared values. This approach minimizes the risks of identity politics, which can sometimes emphasize division rather than unity.
B. Bridging Divides Within the Democratic Coalition
Within the Democratic Party’s coalition, there are different perspectives on the balance between identity representation and policy-driven governance. Some factions feel strongly about identity representation, while others prioritize experience and electability. Running two white men would signal that the Democratic Party values the entire coalition’s interests and is focused on winning elections to implement progressive change.
Creating Room for Dialogue: By choosing a ticket that might initially be seen as less diverse, the Democrats can engage in a transparent conversation with their base about why electability and experience are critical for implementing the party’s platform. This approach acknowledges the importance of diversity without limiting the ticket’s composition.
A Unifying Decision: Demonstrating comfort with a white male ticket could set an example that diversity and unity are not mutually exclusive. The party can emphasize that running qualified candidates who represent the best interests of all Americans is a unifying strategy.
3. Addressing Concerns Within the Coalition
A. Acknowledging the Importance of Diverse Representation
Running two white men on a ticket should not imply that the party is turning away from its commitment to diversity. It is essential to communicate that this decision reflects a strategy for long-term success and that diversity remains a central part of the Democratic Party’s identity.
Reaffirming Diversity in Leadership: The party can highlight diversity in other key leadership roles—such as cabinet positions, advisory councils, and congressional roles—demonstrating that diverse voices remain central to the party’s agenda.
Broadening Representation Beyond the Ticket: Emphasizing the value of diverse voices at all levels, from local government to party leadership, reinforces the Democratic commitment to inclusion even if the presidential ticket itself is not diverse.
B. Building Trust with Underrepresented Communities
For many in the Democratic base, representation is a powerful symbol. By choosing a white male ticket, the party must be prepared to engage sincerely with communities who may feel that their voices are not adequately represented.
Clear Communication: Open and honest communication about the reasoning behind a white male ticket is crucial. The party should explain that the decision is based on strategic factors rather than a dismissal of representation.
Empowering Diverse Leaders in Policy: By involving leaders from diverse backgrounds in shaping and implementing policy, the Democrats can ensure that the concerns of all communities are addressed, creating a coalition that feels respected and valued.
4. Benefits of a White Male Democratic Ticket
A. Expanding the Appeal to Swing Voters and Moderates
Many moderate and independent voters prioritize policy competence and stability over identity representation. A ticket featuring two experienced, policy-driven white male candidates may attract these voters, who are crucial in swing states and other competitive regions.
Appealing to the Working-Class Voter: In regions where identity politics may feel disconnected from local concerns, a ticket focused on common issues like job creation, economic security, and education could increase Democratic support among blue-collar voters.
Creating Consistency in Messaging: With a ticket that doesn’t focus on identity, the Democrats can establish consistent messaging around economic stability, healthcare, and opportunity—issues that resonate universally.
B. Setting a Precedent for Pragmatic Inclusivity
By being willing to run two white men on a ticket, the Democratic Party sets a precedent that inclusivity doesn’t always mean representation on the ticket itself but extends across the entire political platform. This inclusivity embraces the idea that anyone can serve on a Democratic ticket when their candidacy serves the broader vision of the party.
Breaking the Mold: The Democrats’ willingness to be flexible and choose a white male ticket shows confidence and pragmatism, setting a precedent that diversity is a core value but not a restrictive criterion.
Building a Long-Term Strategy: This approach can help the party build a coalition that is broad, resilient, and inclusive—one that doesn’t exclude anyone based on gender or race, whether in the context of candidates or voters.
Conclusion: A Confident Step Toward a Unified Democratic Party
The Democratic Party’s strength lies in its diversity, and part of that diversity means being willing to run the ticket that has the best chance of addressing the needs of all Americans, regardless of the candidates’ gender or race. Embracing a white male ticket as a viable and confident option reflects the party’s commitment to unity, inclusion, and the broader goals of improving the nation for everyone.
Rather than focusing on identity as the deciding factor, Democrats should prioritize experience, electability, and shared values that resonate with their entire coalition. By choosing a white male ticket when it best serves the party’s vision, Democrats can build a stronger, more unified coalition—one that values diversity but also understands the importance of winning elections to implement meaningful change.
