Keller: Pushing transgender issues could be politically treacherous for Democrats

Massachusetts Representative Bill Keating defended a transgender colleague during a subcommittee meeting on Wednesday, but WBZ-TV political analyst Jon Keller indicated this fight might not benefit Democrats, according to surveys.

Tensions run high currently in Washington. Consequently, the typically calm Cape Cod Congressman Keating became upset at a subcommittee hearing when Republican chairman, Representative Keith Self of Texas, addressed Democratic Representative Sarah McBride of Delaware, the sole openly transgender Congress member, as "Mr. McBride."

Rep. Keating Supports Rep. McBride

Delaware lawmaker runs to be first openly transgender member ... (Source: www.axios.com)

This type of gender identity dismissal is something McBride claims she has grown used to and chooses to disregard. She told CBS News last autumn, as Republicans publicly discussed banning her from House bathrooms, "I want my approach of respecting everyone to contrast with the disrespect we see right now."

Keating, however, refused to stay silent. "You are out of order, Mr. Chairman, have you no decency?" he shouted at Self, who promptly ended the hearing and left quickly.

This exchange recalls a notable moment in political history from 1944 when Boston attorney Joseph Welch challenged notorious red-baiting Senator Joseph McCarthy by asking, "Have you no sense of decency, sir?" That confrontation started McCarthy's downfall.

Could history repeat itself? Consider how a Republican advertisement highlighting Kamala Harris's support for taxpayer-funded sex change operations influenced voters toward Trump. The president has continued opposing transgender rights, including prohibiting transgender athletes in women's sports.

Keating's fellow Representative Seth Moulton made news last fall when he also expressed opposition to transgender women participating in school sports, and recent surveys show many Democrats share this view.

Polls Show Support for Trans Restrictions

New poll shows Americans overwhelmingly oppose anti ... (Source: www.pbs.org)

A Pew Research study found increasing backing over the past three years among all adults for limits on trans athletes, with Democratic opinions following the overall pattern.

An even larger shift supports stopping health care workers from helping minors undergo gender transition. The same trend appears regarding bathroom access restrictions.

This explains why McBride prefers to respond with dignity and occasional humor, as she did during this hearing by politely saying, "Thank you, Madame Chair" after Self's rudeness.

Maine Governor Janet Mills recently confronted the president directly on this issue, stating, "We'll see you in court." Most of these disagreements will likely be settled through legal channels.

But the reality is that in public opinion polls, focusing on this topic, as visibly-angered Keating did during that session, seems politically unwise for Democrats.