This archive report was first published on 13 October 2019.
Published on October 13, 2019, a pivotal moment in the 2020 US presidential election.
White Guilt in the Age of Trump ¶
As the 2020 Democratic primary heats up, a significant shift is underway. White Democrats in Iowa and New Hampshire are increasingly embracing candidates who promise to address racial equity, a departure from previous elections where black and Latino voters were the primary focus.
Former Vice President Joe Biden, a long-time frontrunner, has struggled to connect with white liberals in these early voting states. Some have cited his past comments on slavery and his work with segregationists as reasons to support other candidates.
On the other hand, candidates like Elizabeth Warren and Pete Buttigieg have seen success with college-educated liberals, who are drawn to their policies addressing racial inequalities.
These policies may provide a convenient cover for white Democrats seeking to support a candidate from a historically diverse field, which includes candidates like Kamala Harris, Cory Booker, and Julián Castro.
For some white Democrats, like Julie Neff, a 57-year-old Iowa resident, the issue of racial equity has become a personal one. Neff, who is white, said she was embarrassed that she only started thinking about race and discrimination later in life.
