Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) expressed his disapproval of the practice of labeling Republicans as “weird” during a recent one-on-one event with the Guardian at the Texas Tribune Festival in Austin. Khanna, who is a surrogate for the Harris campaign, emphasized the need for the Democratic Party to offer a unifying vision in order to “deserve victory” and bring the country together.
In a conversation with the Guardian, Khanna stated that name-calling and personal attacks do not contribute to the advancement of American democracy. Instead, he advocated for a more constructive approach, citing the advice of former first lady Michelle Obama to “go high” when others “go low.”
Khanna acknowledged that this approach may not be currently in vogue, but he believes it is essential for building a sense of common purpose in the country. He emphasized that the Democratic Party should strive to win not just by defeating their opponents, but by earning the trust and support of the American people.
Khanna’s comments come as some Democrats, including Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), have resorted to personal attacks against Republicans, labeling them as “creepy” and “weird as hell.” However, former President Donald Trump has pushed back against these attacks, describing himself and his allies as “very solid people” who want to promote strong borders and good elections.
