A political video reminds women that they can vote for Vice President Kamala Harris without telling their husbands, infuriating prominent conservatives and reigniting a heated debate that highlights the central role of gender in this year’s elections. I let it happen.
The video, which began circulating last week, begins with a woman following her husband into a voting booth, then staring nervously back at him before making a choice. She locked eyes with another woman filling out Harris’ ballot.
Actor Julia Roberts narrates, alluding to the continuing partisan battle over reproductive rights in the only place in America where women still have the right to choose, and says, “Whatever you want.” You can vote and no one will know.”
The women then left the polling station to meet their husbands. Her husband likely voted for former President Donald Trump.
“Did you make the right choice?” one of the husbands asks.
“I’m sure you are, honey,” my wife replied with a smile, sharing a knowing glance with the woman next to me.
Harris has not said much about her chances of becoming the first female president, but recent polls have shown Harris with a significant lead among women and Trump with men, and the video shows her and Trump. This highlights the widening gender disparity between women and men.
Harris’ opponents have used her gender to question her qualifications throughout the campaign. President Trump said in July that world leaders would view Harris “like a toy” because of her appearance, and her allies say her political success is based on diversity, equity and inclusion policies. It is suggested that it is due to.
Meanwhile, the Trump campaign embraces traditional images of masculinity and actively favors influencers and comedians who are popular with young men.
Gender also underlies many of the hot-button issues motivating voters’ choices this election cycle, including abortion, in vitro fertilization, child care, and transgender rights.
The campaign spot, created by Vote Common Good, a nonprofit progressive group that mobilizes religious voters, drew the ire of President Trump and some allies.
Although the organization paid nothing to promote or air the video, Doug Padgitt, executive director of the organization, said the online attention it received meant the organization was familiar to many families. He said that it means that he made use of a certain experience.
Pagitt, a pastor and social activist, said: “So many people in the political world of the world I came from and the world that followed believed that women’s responsibility in voting was first and foremost to not have a voice.” “I’m doing it,” he said. “To reproduce what my husband says.”
In a phone interview with Fox News on Saturday, President Trump said he was “very disappointed in Julia Roberts” and that she would one day look back on the ad and be “disgusted.” He added that he didn’t think the video depicted a realistic marital relationship, calling it “ridiculous.”
“I mean, can you imagine a wife not telling her husband who to vote for?” Trump said. “If I was in a bad relationship, even if it was bad, I would tell my husband.”
Fox News host Jesse Watters said on air last week that if his wife did what the women in the ads did, it would violate “the sanctity of our marriage.” .
“If Emma walks into a polling place and finds out she’s pulling the lever for Harris, that’s the same as having an affair,” Watters said. This comment led to many people criticizing Emma’s relationship online, until Watters admitted it in 2018.
Charlie Kirk, a conservative podcast host and founder of Turning Point USA, called the ad “sickening” and said his wife “maybe she can live a comfortable life and provide for what she needs.” “I lied to my kind husband, who works so hard.” For my family. ”
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) also told Fox News on Thursday that Democrats are telling wives to lie to their husbands, adding, “What kind of completely immoral thing are Democrats doing? And have we developed a corrupt and diseased system?” added the critic.
While some conservative men expressed distrust or disapproval, online they shared their experiences with women in Republican households who secretly support the Democratic Party, and expressed concerns about controlling and monitoring voting. Many people contributed to the discussion, stating that they were concerned about the well-being of women whose husbands seek women’s rights.
In recent months, sticky notes have been quietly placed on public restroom stalls and tampon boxes across the country, reminding women that no one will see them if they vote for Harris.
Several women involved in grassroots movements in more conservative areas told NBC News that joining the sticky note movement was a response to backlash from the Republican-dominated areas where they live. “It’s a way to be politically active without having to deal with it,” he said.
Controversy over the ad has sparked controversy online, citing similarities to Margaret Atwood’s classic novel The Handmaid’s Tale, which depicts a dystopian theocracy that forcibly categorizes women and strips them of their personal autonomy. There are voices pointing out this point. In response to the remarks, Atwood shared a political cartoon of women entering a polling place in maid-of-war costumes and removing their red uniforms as they exit.
For Padgitt, the furious reaction from some men online reinforces the need for the video’s message.
“They took the sanctity of the individual’s ballot and turned it into a conversation about men being responsible for the actions of women in their lives,” Pagitt said. “And, well, we didn’t expect you to represent us. We really appreciate your help.”
