No, Democrats don't need White men to win elections, actually

There is a theory of political science known as the Horseshoe Theory. Attributed to the French writer Jean-Pierre Faye, the idea is that partisans on the far-left and far-right of the political spectrum bend towards each other and converge on the same bad ideas.
America's political science professors would be hard-pressed to find a better example of the theory than Mr. Jeff Grammer's article published in this paper on June 4.
Mr. Grammer — a self-described progressive — unironically declares that only White men should run for political office. He wants Democrats to recruit and promote candidates that are 'male' and 'whiter' and 'look more like a 1950's candidate.' This, according to Mr. Grammer, is the only way to win elections. Somewhere, a Proud Boy is nodding his head in agreement.
I do not know Mr. Grammer, but I am confident he is not a racist man. He imagines himself a teller of 'ugly truths,' and, I'm sure, laments what he believes are the 'ugly facts' of life in contemporary America. But his assessment of the facts is wrong, and his proposed solution to the problem will only make it worse.
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More women are serving in elected office than any time in American history. 151 women are sitting in the United States Congress (109 Democrats, 42 Republicans). 94 women are statewide elected officials (51 Democrats, 41 Republicans, two non-partisan). Twelve of those women are governors (8 Democrats, 4 Republicans). Right here in the Commonwealth, Democrat Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman and Republican Auditor Allison Ball are both dynamic leaders that will be favorites to win higher political office in future elections.
Of course, these numbers can (and likely will) increase. Maybe that progress would come faster if far-left 'progressives' and far-right racists weren't asking these women to step aside so more White men can run for office.
Against this evidence, Mr. Grammer cites four recent elections where a woman lost to a man. Notably, three of those women lost to Donald Trump. A menace, no doubt, but a unique political force that has ended as many or more men's presidential ambitions — Jeb Bush, Ron DeSantis and Joe Biden to name a few.
But worse than the insufficient proof is the low opinion Mr. Grammer has of his fellow Americans. The implication is that the bigots have won, we can't beat them, so we might as well join them. That is, of course, wrong as a matter of history. And it is precisely this kind of flippant condescension that has caused so many hardworking Americans who just want a shot at a better life to turn away from the party of FDR's New Deal, LBJ's Great Society and Barack Obama's audacious hope for a better America for all.
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Fortunately, most Democrats I know don't share Mr. Grammer's misanthropy.
We believe in the American people and their capacity to do great things when called upon. We believe in principles of liberal self-government declared at our founding: that we are all created equal and endowed by our creator with certain unalienable rights. We believe that all Americans should have access to the healthcare they need, dignified work, a home they can afford and a quality education.
I invite Mr. Grammer to come to a local party meeting where he will find citizen leaders of all genders, races and backgrounds working to make this a reality.
The ascendent radical right — led by President Trump — threatens these fundamental principles. Their political project seeks to reverse hard-won freedoms, invade civil liberties and redefine what it means to be an American.
Democrats should not follow Trump, Vance and their cronies round the horseshoe bend to White identity politics. We should (and I believe we will) find the best, most talented candidates to carry our message — regardless of gender or race. That is how we win.
Agree or disagree? Submit a letter to the editor.
Rick Adams is a lawyer and member of the Louisville Democratic Party Executive Committee. He was a candidate for State House District 41. He is a White man and lost to a woman, if you care about that sort of thing.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Democrats, Trump beat White men. Women can win elections | Opinion

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