In my book How Democrats Can Win Back Men: Why Understanding Male Voters and Their Issues is Vital for Democratic Victory and here in my Substack, I’ve coined a number of terms. See below for definitions:
Democratic Disconnect
Democratic Disconnect - how the people running the Democratic Party have been unable to acknowledge much less focus on issues affecting men and boys; this leads to neglect of male voters and is partially responsible for the presidential voting gender gap that has existed since 1980. For example, in the 2024 Democratic Party Platform, the word “women” appears 82 times, the word “men” only 4 times. In order to have more success, the Democrats will need to heal this disconnect by truly understanding male voters and their issues.
All-Demographic Strategy
All-Demographic Strategy - my suggestion for a new Democratic Strategy akin to Howard Dean’s 50-state strategy, but focused on all demographics rather than just geography. Democrats supported people in all states, even those more likely to vote Republican, a strategy that worked in 2006-2012 to help Democrats gain power in Washington, DC. Now, they need to do the same by focusing on all demographics including male voters among whom they have trailed for the last 44 years.
Sutton’s Key and The “Magic Number”
Sutton’s Key and The “Magic Number” at Democrats at -8% among men - based on exit poll data, in every election since 1972, my analysis reveals that when Democrats have been at -8% or better among male voters compared to Republicans in presidential elections, they have won every election. When Republicans have won among men by 9% or more versus Democrats, they have won every election. Given this has been true in every election since 1972, I call -8% the “Magic Number” it’s importance “Sutton’s Key” and suggest that the Democrats should focus on appealing to male voters. This held true again in 2024.
Cultural Gender Gap
Cultural Gender Gap - the cultural side of the gender gap that is also reflected in the presidential voting gender gap. The cultural gender gap is the notion that men and women in general are shifting apart and are therefore less likely to understand and sympathize with one another.
Manwashing
Manwashing - how the Democratic Party attempts to portray male-friendly images without substantive policies to support men and boys. This is a political version of the environmental term “Greenwashing” used to describe corporations who pretend to care about the environment superficially but don’t make a serious attempt at limiting their own environmental footprint. Example of greenwashing include:
Gov. Dukakis riding around in a tank in 1988 (he lost);
John Kerry in 2004 in an orange vest going hunting (he lost); and
VP nominee Walz in 2024 in an orange vest going hunting and hanging out with former members of a football team he coached (he lost).