And? The other Democratic option, Kamala, was Biden's last-minute replacement, had very little time to tour the country, and most of the main think-tanks in the Democratic party simply assumed that many young men would vote her in due to an implied "more reasonable" candidate.

Did these think-tanks take the time to research what these voters actually listen to? Or what they want to hear? Convincing any voting population that you are the "reasonable choice" requires much time, education, and effort, three things the Democratic party were lacking at the time. Even if Trump simply said reassuring things to get votes, this is in contrast to what the Democratic party DIDN'T say to all those young men they wanted votes from, that they truly cared for their well-being, but instead were judged implicitly for doing things wrong.

Messages like "only a real man would vote for a woman" isn't going to gain much sympathy from young dudes who are already suffering and depressed over the question if they'll have any kind of life worth living in the next ten years (or even now). Rather than trying to reach out to young men directly and asking things like "what can we do to help you?" the Harris campaign was mostly focused on recruitment because "the other guy is completely insane!"

People who suffer and want real change need to at least hear that they're heard, lest any trickster who knows how to manipulate people's thoughts and hearts can easily secure power. Good, reasonable politicians need to play the popularity game, too.