Beer And Politics: Does Elizabeth Warren Drink Beer?

Elizabeth Warren, the Massachusetts senator, sparked a social media frenzy and drew criticism from Fox News panelists after sharing a video of herself drinking a beer in her kitchen on New Year's Eve. The video, which was broadcast live on Instagram, showed Warren drinking a Michelob Ultra beer, which she referred to as the club soda of beers. While some ridiculed the video as an awkward and failed attempt to appeal to younger and male voters, others, including progressive commentator Richard Fowler, defended Warren, suggesting that double standards exist for female politicians when it comes to appearance and relatability.

Elizabeth Warren drinks beer on Instagram Live Stream

On New Year's Eve 2018, Senator Elizabeth Warren shared a video of herself drinking a beer on Instagram Live. The video was streamed from her kitchen, where she was seen taking a bottle of beer from her refrigerator while cooking dinner. Warren, who had just announced her exploratory committee for president in 2020, explained that the Instagram Live stream was a way to "invite people into [her] home".

The beer in question was a Michelob Ultra, which she referred to as "the club soda of beers". The video received mixed reactions, with some social media users and news commentators criticising it as an awkward and failed attempt to appeal to younger voters. However, others, such as progressive commentator Richard Fowler, defended Warren, suggesting that she is held to different standards because she is a woman.

In response to the video, Boston University politics professor Tobe Berkovitz commented that "It’s just sort of trying too hard … and people have pretty good radar for that sort of thing." Meanwhile, on Fox News, Outnumbered co-anchor Harris Faulkner questioned whether Warren's beer choice was an attempt to appeal to male voters, asking, "Somebody tell me, why beer? Why that beverage?". Lisa Boothe, another panelist on the show, agreed, stating that Warren was trying too hard to be relatable. Despite the mixed reactions, Warren's beer-drinking moment on Instagram Live Stream sparked conversations about gender expectations and relatability in politics.

Beer choice: Michelob Ultra

Michelob Ultra is a light lager beer, ranked #156 in the world. It is brewed and distributed by Anheuser-Busch and is considered to be one of the best in its class. The beer is brewed with the finest barley malt, select grains, all-imported hops, and a pure-cultured yeast strain. This special combination of grains, along with an extended mashing process, results in a smooth and refreshing beer with fewer carbohydrates.

Michelob Ultra has a very light straw-yellow colour and is crystal clear, with a small head that quickly dissipates. The aroma is subtle, with some reviewers noting a light "pear" smell, while others detect a hint of caramelized onion or green apple. The taste is described as clean and refreshing, with hints of white grape, sweet corn, and pineapple gummy bears. It has sharp and satisfying carbonation, contributing to its overall light and refreshing character.

The beer is positioned as a refreshing option for those seeking a "light" beer, perfect for washing down lunch or as a happy hour beverage. Some reviewers appreciate its lack of strong flavour, while others criticise it for the same reason. Michelob Ultra seems to cater to those who want a beer without the typical beer taste, offering a neutral, washed-out flavour profile.

Michelob Ultra also offers a range of products, including Pure Gold, Infusions, and various seltzers and collections with different flavours, such as Coconut Water, Blueberry Watermelon, and Strawberry Guava.

Beer-drinking criticised by Fox News panelists

Fox News panelists criticised Sen. Elizabeth Warren for drinking beer in her kitchen during a New Year's Eve Instagram live stream. The incident occurred during Warren's presidential bid and sparked a discussion about the double standards women face in politics when it comes to appearance and likability.

During the "Outnumbered" segment, progressive commentator Richard Fowler referenced a tweet from George Takei, who called out the sexist treatment of Warren compared to male candidates like Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders. Fowler agreed that women are held to higher standards in terms of appearance and presentation, stating that they have to consider "how they look [and] how their hair..."

However, Outnumbered co-anchor Harris Faulkner disagreed, stating that women themselves don't have to think about these things, but that others are thinking about it for them. Fowler responded by suggesting that female politicians may feel pressured to conform to certain expectations and appeal to voters, even if it means changing their behaviour to appear more "relatable".

In the Instagram live stream, Warren was seen drinking a Michelob Ultra beer from her refrigerator, which some panelists interpreted as a calculated move to appeal to male voters. Faulkner questioned the choice of beverage, asking, "Somebody tell me, why beer? Is that to appeal to male voters...?" Lisa Boothe, another panelist, dismissed Warren's attempt at relatability, stating, "She's trying to be like hello Earthlings, I'm just like you... I feel like if you're trying to be relatable, you're not relatable."

The beer-drinking incident sparked mixed reactions on social media as well. While some criticised Warren for the awkward post, others, like Richard Fowler, defended her, calling out the double standards and sexist treatment of female politicians. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by women in politics, where their actions and appearances are often scrutinised and judged differently from their male counterparts.

Beer-drinking criticised on social media

Senator Elizabeth Warren's Instagram Live Stream on New Year's Eve has sparked criticism and ridicule from social media users and Fox News panelists alike. In the video, Warren is seen drinking a beer in her kitchen while cooking dinner, which has been perceived by some as an inauthentic attempt to appeal to voters, particularly males and younger voters.

The video, which has since gone viral, shows Warren drinking a Michelob Ultra, which she refers to as "the club soda of beers." While the senator intended the live stream as a way to "invite people into your home," the reaction has been mixed. Some social media users have ridiculed the post as cringe-worthy and robotic, with Daily Caller video columnist Stephanie Hamill tweeting, "Can you handle the CRINGE??? Here's Fake Native American Elizabeth Warren pretending to be 'one of us' by robotically drinking a beer."

The beer choice also raised eyebrows, with some questioning whether it was a strategic move to appeal to male voters. During a discussion on "Outnumbered," Fox News panelists criticised Warren, with co-anchor Harris Faulkner interrupting, "No we don't! No, actually, we don't have to think about it. Everybody else is thinking about it." This comment sparked a discussion about the different standards female politicians face and the notion that Warren was "playing the gender card" to gain relatability.

The panelist Lisa Boothe reinforced this idea, stating, "She's trying to be like, hello Earthlings, I'm just like you... She's trying to be relatable, and I feel like if you're trying to be relatable, you're not relatable." The beer-drinking moment has been interpreted as a calculated move to appeal to a certain demographic, which has backfired, highlighting the challenges female politicians face in navigating public image and authenticity.

The incident underscores the intense scrutiny faced by politicians, especially those seeking higher office, and the potential for seemingly innocuous actions to be interpreted and judged through a variety of lenses, including gender dynamics and voter appeal. This incident serves as a reminder of the complex dynamics at play in political campaigns and the potential for social media interactions to be scrutinised and criticised.

Beer-drinking criticised by Boston University politics professor

Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren has faced criticism from a Boston University politics professor, Tobe Berkovitz, for drinking beer in an Instagram video. The video, which was broadcast live on the social media platform, showed Warren drinking a bottle of beer while cooking dinner. Berkovitz, in an interview with the Boston Herald, characterised the video as "just sort of trying too hard". He suggested that Warren, who he described as "a chardonnay senator", was attempting to appeal to voters but that "people have pretty good radar for that sort of thing".

The video was released on New Year's Eve, shortly after Warren announced that she was exploring a potential 2020 presidential run. In it, Warren can be seen drinking a Michelob Ultra, which she referred to as "the club soda of beers". It was intended, she said, as "one more way to be able to invite people into your home [...] so that we have a chance to talk about what's going on".

However, the video was met with mixed reactions. While some commentators praised Warren's attempt to appear relatable, others criticised it as a failed attempt to appeal to younger voters. Some even ridiculed the video as awkward and cringeworthy.

The beer-drinking video is not the first time that Warren has drawn criticism for her attempts to connect with voters. In the past, she has been accused of appropriating Native American culture and of being "robotic" in her social media posts. It remains to be seen whether the beer video will have any impact on Warren's political ambitions, but it has certainly sparked a debate about the role of authenticity and relatability in political campaigns.

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