Khanna says he’s not ‘a fan’ of Democrats calling Republicans ‘weird’

Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) said Saturday he does not like Democrats’ newfound rhetorical device of labeling Republicans “weird” in campaign messages.

He criticized the approach at a live event with The Guardian at a festival hosted by The Texas Tribune and said Democrats should instead focus on bringing the country together.

“I’m not, in candor, a fan of calling each other ‘weird’ or names. I don’t think that advanced American democracy,” Khanna said at the event.

“I think we have to — in this country, and as a party — not just win, but deserve victory. And to deserve victory means to offer a vision that is going to bring this country together with a common purpose.”

Vice President Harris’s campaign has leaned heavily on the “weird” attack since her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), first used the word to describe the Republican ticket in July.

The strategy then took off among fellow Democrats, and soon, they managed to slip in the term in most interviews they gave. The campaign was pinning the label on everything from former President Trump’s rally remarks on Hannibal Lecter to Sen. JD Vance’s (R-Ohio) past comments on childless women.

Khanna said at the event it may not be “fashionable anymore” to take the high road and follow former first lady Michelle Obama’s guidance of “when they go low, we go high.” However, he said, “I still think that wins for a nation that’s hungry for some kind of new common purpose.”