WASHINGTON: The Democratic Party was frustrated on Wednesday after Vice President Kamala Harris’s election loss to former President Donald Trump as Democrats are now concerned for the party’s future and questioning Biden’s role in the campaign’s failure.
Harris, who positioned herself as the Democratic underdog, faced an uphill battle after entering the race only three months prior following President Joe Biden’s sudden withdrawal. Harris’s campaign, marked by inclusive messaging and appeals to young and diverse voters, struggled to secure crucial support in swing states.
Analysts say the initial momentum in key Democratic demographics like young voters and women turned unexpectedly toward Trump, who expanded his share among voters under 45 and women, according to Edison Research exit polls. Trump also gained ground in suburban areas previously believed to be trending Democratic.
The loss has sparked intense criticism within the party. Some prominent Democrats argued Biden’s delayed exit damaged Harris’s chances, with several alleging that concerns about Biden’s mental health had been withheld from supporters.
A June debate where Biden struggled was reportedly a turning point, prompting his eventual departure from the race in July. One Democratic donor stated, “Biden should have stepped down sooner instead of concealing his health issues.” Biden, however, has maintained that he stayed in the race to protect his party and was initially convinced he was the only Democrat who could beat Trump.
Democratic donors and influential figures have voiced their disappointment. Hedge fund manager and Democratic donor Bill Ackman publicly criticized the party on social media, stating, “The party lied to the American people about Biden’s fitness,” adding that a lack of primary challengers further hindered the Democrats’ campaign. Calls for a “reboot” of the party have grown, with some questioning if the Democrats can effectively appeal to an evolving voter base.
Trump’s victory, aided by policies like anti-immigration rhetoric and economic proposals that included blanket tariffs, appealed to a broader range of voters, including an unexpected gain with Latino voters.
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His strong support in traditionally competitive states like Georgia and North Carolina suggested that Democrats had misjudged the political landscape. Trump’s stance on immigration also resonated in traditionally liberal states like Connecticut and Massachusetts, where high costs of living are often attributed to immigration.
On the other hand, Harris’s support for US support to Israel during the Gaza conflict contributed to division within the Democratic Party, especially among progressive voters who had pushed to cut military aid to Israel. This issue is believed to have contributed to Harris’s loss of support among left-leaning Democrats.
On election day, Harris’s supporters were expecting a victory or a lengthy vote count. However, as results started to indicate a definitive loss, campaign co-chair Cedric Richmond addressed the decreasing audience, encouraging patience. By early morning, the result was clear: Harris had lost, marking the Democrats’ second painful defeat to Trump in recent years following Hillary Clinton’s 2016 loss.
