Maybe sexism and racism are not isolated to the right wing, possibly a lot more in the centre than assumed. Maybe just enough in certain demos to affect turnout.
It’s weird because I even noticed this among liberals. The presidential candidates are always referred to by last name. But both times a woman tried to run, people referred to her as her first name whether you are conservative or liberal or what have you. I have found it a bit disrespectful tbh, and all sides have been guilty of this. The US will never elect a female president, let alone a female president of color. It’s bizarre.
maybe it’s just because that’s the more memorable/unique parts of their name?
trump/biden is much more distinctive than donald/joe
clinton could refer to both bill or hillary
obama/kamala is more memorable than barack/harris (though maybe for obama that’s just because I’ve heard ‘obama’ so many times)
I’m not saying that’s definitely not true, just that there might be other reasons why
I suppose I could give it to you for Hillary Clinton because it could have been confusing wrt Bill. But with Harris, I’m not buying it. Both “Barack” and “Obama” are equally distinct to me. We have never had a president Harris before, so it’s plenty distinct enough. It’s not as though presidential candidates always have wildly distinct and uncommon names.
