Summary of "Why Men Are Fleeing the Democratic Party" — The Commentary Magazine Podcast

Release Date: June 4, 2025
Host/Author: Commentary Magazine
Episode Title: Why Men Are Fleeing the Democratic Party

Introduction

In this episode of The Commentary Magazine Podcast, host John Potter Horiz engages in a frank and incisive discussion with executive editor Abe Greenwald, Washington Commentary columnist Matthew Carnetti, and senior editor Seth Mandel. The conversation delves into the multifaceted reasons behind the declining support among men for the Democratic Party, highlighting a surge in antisemitism, institutional ideological battles, and shifting political landscapes.

Key Discussions

1. Rising Antisemitism and Its Institutional Impact

The discussion opens with a critical examination of antisemitism's resurgence within American institutions. The panelists highlight recent incidents where Jewish individuals face discriminatory practices, particularly in the medical field.

• New York Times Op-Ed Controversy:
  Matthew Carnetti references an op-ed by Sheila Katz of the National Council of Jewish Women, initially titled "American Jews Are Paying for the War in Gaza," which was later amended to "Jews Are Afraid" within an hour of publication. This change underscores the sensitivity and volatility surrounding Jewish security concerns.

  John Potter Horiz (00:46): "The New York Times or the copy desk... put the headline on it, 'American Jews are paying for the war in Gaza.' And then about an hour later, they changed it to 'Jews are afraid.'"

• Antisemitism in the Medical Community:
  Seth Mandel brings attention to an alarming trend where Jewish patients receive differential treatment once their religious identity is recognized. This issue is not isolated to the U.S.; similar patterns are observed in Europe, prompting the emergence of Jewish-friendly transportation services.

  Seth Mandel (07:29): "Many analysts are tracking a rise in antisemitism in medicine... It's something that the writers of Tablet have been talking about for a while."

• Personal Anecdotes and Institutional Responses:
  John Potter Horiz shares firsthand accounts from doctors discussing antisemitic behaviors within hospital networks, emphasizing the breach of the Hippocratic oath and the infiltration of extremist ideologies into healthcare.

  John Potter Horiz (04:00): "Doctors saying on their private... that they will not treat Jews or... have a little fantasy about doing the Jew in those."

2. Political Shifts and Party Dynamics

The episode explores the declining allegiance of men, particularly young men, to the Democratic Party, attributing it to the party's internal struggles with antisemitism and ideological rigidity.

• Polling Data Insights:
  Seth Mandel presents recent poll data indicating significant Republican advantages in areas traditionally dominated by Democrats, such as crime, economy, and immigration. The data also reveals a stark perception gap where Republicans are viewed as the party of strong leaders, while Democrats grapple with being labeled as extremist.

  Seth Mandel (30:48): "The Republican Party is the party of strong leaders by a margin of 40% for Republicans versus 16% for Democrats."

• Impact of Ilhan Omar and Other Figures:
  The discussion touches upon Ilhan Omar's role in the Democratic Party, portraying her as a figure whose actions may be contributing to the party's internal conflicts and loss of support among male demographics.

  John Potter Horiz (22:49): "Ilhan Omar... bringing over his wife and five children who have remained in the United States... their daughter... It's a very big issue."

3. Harvard and University Ideological Conflicts

The panel critiques the ideological homogeneity within prestigious institutions like Harvard, arguing that the lack of conservative voices fosters environments where antisemitic and anti-Zionist sentiments can thrive unchecked.

• Harvard's Response to Antisemitism:
  John Potter Horiz criticizes Harvard's handling of antisemitic incidents, suggesting that institutional responses are insufficient in addressing the root causes of discrimination.

  John Potter Horiz (05:07): "It's a very big issue... export of terrorist ideology into the United States."

• University as a Vortex for Liberal Ideologies:
  The conversation underscores how universities have become bastions of liberal thought, often at the expense of diverse viewpoints, leading to increased polarization and alienation of Jewish communities.

  John Potter Horiz (22:49): "No conservative thought on campus, no American opinion on campus... if you do activism against Jews, you have to pay the price."

4. New York Mayoral Race and Democratic Party Crisis

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to analyzing the New York City mayoral primary, illustrating the broader issues within the Democratic Party.

• Ranked Choice Voting and Radical Candidates:
  The mayoral race features candidates like Zoram Mandani, a left-wing communist advocating for state-run services, and Andrew Cuomo, portrayed as a highly controversial figure. The use of ranked choice voting is criticized for enabling extremist candidates to gain traction.

  John Potter Horiz (55:06): "Zoram Mandani is running on a communist platform... Andrew Cuomo... a very unstable person."

• Democratic Party's Decline in Broader America:
  Seth Mandel highlights how the Democratic Party has become insular, losing its appeal in regions outside affluent urban centers. The party's inability to adapt to shifting demographics and ideological demands is seen as a primary reason for men abandoning its ranks.

  Seth Mandel (30:48): "The Republican Party is the party of strong leaders... Democrats are being left behind."

Notable Quotes

• John Potter Horiz (00:22): "Hope for the best, expect the worst."

• Seth Mandel (05:07): "You don't have a right to a visa here if you have views that are hostile to Jews, hostile to America."

• John Potter Horiz (22:49): "Ilhan Omar... is trying to lead people to deny rights and lives because they disagree with her on the nature of the state of Israel."

• Abe Greenwald (24:41): "It's the beginning of a new liberal understanding that these guys are bad."

• John Potter Horiz (66:16): "Columbia professors live in rent-free apartments, very nice ones."

Conclusions

The panel concludes that the Democratic Party is facing a profound crisis driven by internal antisemitism, ideological rigidity, and a failure to resonate with male demographics, especially young men. The insular nature of liberal institutions, exemplified by universities like Harvard, exacerbates these issues, fostering environments where extremist views can flourish. Additionally, political strategies, such as ranked choice voting in mayoral races, may inadvertently empower radical candidates, further destabilizing the party's standing. To reverse this trend, the panelists suggest a need for the Democratic Party to embrace internal reforms, enforce diverse viewpoints, and address antisemitic behaviors proactively.

This episode offers a critical lens on the current state of the Democratic Party, emphasizing the urgent need for introspection and reform to reclaim lost support and address the rising tide of antisemitism within its ranks.