In the race to become the First Lady or First Gentleman in the White House, a political analyst panel thinks Vice President Kamala Harris' husband has the edge.
On CNN Friday, the panel of commentators sang the praises of now-Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff for the couple's cuteness and general support of each other.
"Well, this week, the olds may have discovered the power of Gen Z-targeted Kamala Harris Brat memes," said Semafor's political reporter Kadia Goba.
"Gen Z also can't get enough of Doug Emhoff. Several pictures of him right by her side have surfaced, and in being such a 'good wife guy,' Doug Emhoff has become the cool model, the first male White House spouse."
CNN's Phil Mattingly said that Emhoff has become Harris' "defender" and "biggest fan." But he is also capable of representing his wife if she can't go to an event.
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Goba pointed out that, as the first Jewish spouse in the executive offices, he's had a unique ability to discuss anti-semitism.
"And when you talk to people, they say he's just a really, really, really nice guy," Goba cited.
Reuters White House correspondent Jeff Mason pointed out Emhoff's ability to humanize Harris.
"I mean, just watching the State of the Union ... this year where she came up standing behind the podium before President [Joe] Biden came, and they both waved at each other from opposite sides of the room, then laughed. That was humanizing," Mason said.
"And when he comes to the White House correspondents' dinner or the parties or goes out for dinner with others in D.C. while she's working, that is a voice about this is who she is. This is my wife. She's a person."
He predicted that would all be an asset to Harris if she wins the White House.
Mattingly noted that "being a good husband shouldn't be a high bar."
However, CNN political reporter Alayna Treene said that Emhoff is quite a contrast to Melania Trump.
"You see him all the time," she said of Emhoff. "You're seeing him campaigning. You're seeing him try to be that support system for the vice president. We've rarely seen the former First Lady Melania Trump out this cycle. She has made it a point not to appear that much on the trail."
There have been few appearances on Trump's wife thus far in his third presidential campaign. The most recent was at the GOP convention.
Unlike in 2020 and 2016, she did not speak. She also hasn't been with him while he faces various legal challenges.
"That contrast as well has been very interesting," said Treene.
See the discussion below or at the link here.
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