COLUMBUS, Ohio — Kamala Harris is using running mate Pete Buttigieg to try to garner support from “white” voters, who she says need to be honest with themselves and with each other about the role we’ve played in our nation’s history.
Buttigieg, one of Harris’s top supporters and Secretary of Transportation, is scheduled to appear online at a Zoom event with the group “White Dudes for Harris” at 8 p.m. on Monday.
“As White Dudes, we know all too well how cynically MAGA preys on people’s resentment,” the group’s organizer, Ross Morales, wrote in an email to a Post reporter. “This moment of crisis will test us, but we will not let fear define us or lead us, or our country, down a dark path.”
“We are coming together to create a space of trust where white men can support each other and work to elect Kamala Harris as the next President of the United States.”
“White Dudes for Harris” hats are being sold by the group.
The group sells hats and preaches “brotherhood” while trying to create an “honest space” for “white men.”
Its main values were explained in President Morales’ message.
“As white men, we recognize very clearly the harmful culture of entitlement that surrounds Donald Trump,” he wrote. “We must be honest with ourselves and each other about the role we’ve played in our country’s history, both good and bad. We are creating a space of honesty and trust where we can support each other and work toward a new, brighter future.”
The letter also included a link to a “social media kit” containing pre-made posts that the “white men” could use to attract others to join the group.
“The best friendships I have had with other men are built on mutual respect, trust and supportive understanding,” one post read. “Can you trust that Donald Trump will respect you, value your trust and support you with brotherly love?”
Pete Buttigieg was once a rival for Vice President Kamala Harris. Chris Kleponis/Pool via CNP/SplashNews.com
Buttigieg and Harris were once rivals in the presidential primary but lost to President Biden.
Then, the 81-year-old Biden famously dropped out of the race last week, leaving Vice President Harris, 59, to take over as the party’s presidential nominee, relegating Democrats such as Buttigieg to sideline roles.
Buttigieg’s endorsement already appears to be having an effect.
Morales initially asked for 10,000 people to register for Monday’s virtual event, but interest in the event appeared to explode after Buttigieg announced his intention to attend.
“Yesterday afternoon we sent out an email to 8,000 of you asking you to contact your friends and see if you could grow this little group to 20,000 by Monday’s call. And you all nailed it! I’m happy to let you know that as of about 10 minutes ago, we are at 20,000,” Morales wrote. “Something unprecedented is happening here and we are all a part of it together.”
Harris has emerged as the leading candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination since President Biden dropped out of the race. Getty Images
The group has not said whether it will allow non-whites to participate, and did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Washington Post.
With wars continuing overseas, immigration and other fiascos in the U.S. intensifying, and discourse worsening at home, race and national origin are becoming key issues in this election.
