Ben Domenech, publisher of The Federalist, joined Fox News’s “Red Eye” on Friday to talk about the 2016 election and Bernie Sanders’s white problems.
Domenech explained that Sanders’s approach to owning his identity as an awkward, socialist white person is part of the senator’s charm.
“He’s understanding that there’s no way he can be sort of ‘down with the struggle,’ and that’s fine,” he said. “In this type of cycle, it seems authentic.”
After releasing a campaign ad featuring a Simon and Garfunkel song on Thursday, Sanders got some blowback from individuals who criticized the lack of diversity among the individuals featured in the ad.
The ad, which will air on TV in early primary states, is targeting voters in Iowa and New Hampshire, who are mostly white.
“He realizes, ‘Hey I’m an old, awkward, socialist, north-easterner who looks like a hobo,” Domenech said.
Polls indicate that Sanders is gaining significant traction in these states and is even beating out Hillary Clinton by significant margins, according to some polls.
Domenech said Marco Rubio should follow the examples set by Sanders and Donald Trump and shouldn’t shy away from his expensive footwear.
“Come on, just be like G.O.B. Bluth,” he said, referring to a character from the cult-favorite show “Arrested Development.” “Be like, ‘Hey, I’m cool, I’m wearing $5,000 pants, I married a cheerleader.'”
“If you look at Donald Trump, it’s like, that’s all Donald Trump does is say how awesome he is, so why not? Do the same thing,” Domenech said. “He doesn’t need to be nervous about it, just own who he is.”
