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The outgoing Democratic National Committee Chair has openly said that the party should have stuck with President Joe Biden as its nominee in the 2024 election.
Some shit you should know before you read: Roughly four months before the 2024 election was held, President Biden made the decision to bow out of the race and put Vice President Kamala Harris as the DNC nominee. This followed mounting pressure from top Democratic officials, including former President Barack Obama, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Despite growing concerns over Biden’s debate performance and his ability to defeat Donald Trump, Biden reportedly had deep reservations about stepping down, believing he was still the strongest candidate to take on the Republican nominee. Sources close to the former president indicated that he remained confident in his ability to win.
What’s going on now: In an interview with the Associated Press, outgoing Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chair Jaime Harrison reflected on the party’s decision to replace President Joe Biden in the 2024 election and the subsequent loss to Donald Trump. Harrison defended Biden, arguing that Democrats should have remained loyal to him despite his struggles, and criticized those within the party who were quick to abandon him after his poor debate performance. He compared Biden’s treatment to that of Trump, noting that Republicans stood firmly behind their nominee despite his legal troubles, while Democrats were too eager to “call in the backup.” Harrison also expressed frustration with the DNC’s role in the campaign, stating that the party should not merely be a “rubber stamp” for presidential candidates and should have more influence in key strategic decisions.
Harrison also addressed Kamala Harris’s shortened campaign timeline, arguing that she was at a disadvantage because the party had built its infrastructure around Biden’s reelection bid. He suggested that Harris would have been more competitive had she been given more time to introduce herself to voters and solidify her message.
Additionally, he acknowledged that various factors, including economic concerns and regional issues like the Palestinian conflict’s impact in Michigan, contributed to the Democratic Party’s loss. Looking ahead, Harrison urged Democrats to focus on rebuilding their brand and reconnecting with key voting blocs, particularly nonwhite and working-class voters, to prevent future electoral defeats.
