. . . and boys go to Jupiter to get more stupider, I am told by my young roommates. Maybe that accounts for the gender gap, currently more like a wide and deep ravine, in American politics. In the most recent Quinnipiac poll, for example, male respondents disapprove of Trump's performance as president by only 51-45 percent, while women disapprove by more than 2-to-1 (64-31) . The result of the "generic ballot" question is similar: by 46-44 percent men want Republicans to retain control of the House of Representatives, but women, by 57-32 percent, would prefer a Democratic majority.
For context, in the 2016 presidential election Trump carried men by 52-41 but Clinton prevailed, 54-41, among women. Four years before that, Romney defeated Obama among male voters, 52-45, but Obama won women by 55-44.
I know that some people explain these facts by talking about policies, the Republican "war on women" and all of that, but maybe like so much else it's less deep, simpler. My guess is that Republican politicians just remind women of men they've known and disliked. White, middle-aged or beyond, pasty, swaggery, persuaded for no evident reason of their seriousness, worth, and sex appeal. "Men's men." If you venture to disagree with one about the Second Amendment and guns, watch him draw himself up to his full height before asking, portentously, "Are you aware that the 'A' in 'AK-47' doesn't stand for 'automatic?'" Hold your tongue, ladies, or you'll be subjected to the whole spiel! (But they already knew that.) Most women wouldn't want to be around these guys even if they agreed with them--which, mainly, they don't. The whole Republican party gives off the vibe of a fellow who, to compensate for not having gotten laid in awhile, loves talking about military history and the many merits of the Glock 40 Gen 4 MOS that he carries to show who's boss.
Granted, I understand that the most famous Republican has been quite the sexual conquistador.
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