The sting of defeat is difficult to bear. Constantly facing reminders of that loss can feel particularly harsh.
As the media and political strategists made their way out of the nation’s capital from Washington Dulles International Airport, echoes of the tumultuous week rang in their ears.
Merchandise featuring Kamala Harris was notably marked down by 50%.
Bright red ‘clearance’ stickers plastered Joe Biden’s inventory, a glaring sign of discontent.
Such is the game of politics.
Kamala Harris’ merchandise was notably marked down by 50%.
Political Turmoil
The Democratic Party finds itself grappling with an overwhelming case of political turmoil.
Many are left reeling from the recent election, which dealt a crushing blow to Democratic hopes.
Kamala Harris faced off against a former president and convicted felon, who also boasts the dubious distinction of being impeached twice by the House.
There’s a strong likelihood that Republicans will maintain dominance in both chambers of Congress.
Shock waves continue to ripple through the party as veterans like Jon Tester and Bob Casey reconcile with the reality of losing their positions.
Donald Trump made history as the first Republican candidate to win overwhelmingly Latino Miami-Dade.
This isn’t just about seats—it’s a reflection of a deeper loss of grassroots connections.
Donald Trump chipped away at the Democrats’ base even in traditionally blue cities like Chicago.
He made history as the first Republican to capture Latino-heavy Miami-Dade in Florida.
The GOP saw a surge in support across nearly every state, heralded as the most significant ‘red wave’ since Ronald Reagan’s victory in 1984.
So, what went awry?
The Economy
Harris’ vision for the nation’s economic future failed to resonate with the electorate.
Polling consistently showed that a majority of voters placed their trust in Donald Trump when it came to matters of the economy.
This sentiment was starkly illustrated in exit polls from Georgia, where voters declared that the economy was their top concern.
Harris’ proposals—like enhancing child tax credits and the elimination of tips tax—did little to convince the electorate that their circumstances would improve under her leadership.
While inflation has seen some easing, the everyday American still grapples with steep prices at grocery stores and gas stations.
Many Americans feel like they’re treading water.
Kamala Harris’ economic proposals failed to resonate with voters.
For a vast number, the status quo simply isn’t feasible anymore.
A revealing poll from the New York Times not long ago showed that most Americans felt the government was not serving them properly, yearning for radical reforms to combat inflation and economic challenges.
Trump effectively tapped into this discontent, framing the Democrats as out of touch, serving only the privileged elite.
Harris mingling with high-profile celebrities didn’t bolster her case either.
No, what she needed was a clear, actionable plan for the future.
Voters viewed Kamala Harris as complicit in the current economic hardship.
With what turned out to be the fastest presidential campaign launch in U.S. history, she hesitated to distance herself from Joe Biden and carve out her own narrative.
Was this hesitation due to a sense of loyalty or simply bad timing? Likely a blend of both.
Final Appeals
In her closing pitch, Harris spent considerable time denouncing Trump’s character, labeling him a “fascist.”
This strategy raised alarm bells among anti-Trump Republicans.
They worried that focusing on character instead of pressing issues like the economy and immigration would hurt her candidacy.
The shifting dynamics of working-class voters and the disconnected Democratic Party propelled Trump to another term.
The day before the election, Ariel Hill-Davis of Republican Women for Progress voiced concerns on RTÉ’s States of Mind podcast: “My gut feeling is that they’ve emphasized fascism too heavily.”
“We’ve known about these allegations for some time. The remarks of previous cabinet members haven’t swayed many voters historically, so I question whether this is the focus she should adopt right now.”
Harris’ emphasis on abortion as a pivotal issue missed the mark.
Only 14% of voters cited it as their primary concern in this election cycle.
Joe Biden
Issues began surfacing about Joe Biden’s capability to serve another term long before the election.
In his 2020 presidential campaign, he promised to be a one-term steward, paving the way for a new leader to emerge from the shadows of the Trump years.
This strategy aimed to grant Democrats the time needed to cultivate fresh leadership.
Yet, whether due to Biden’s stubborn “Irish streak” or genuine belief he could again best Trump, his reluctance to step back left Harris in a precarious position.
In the meantime, Trump spent months engaging with relevant podcasts and influencers, following ideas from his youngest son, Barron.
Joe Biden’s reluctance to step down as the Democratic candidate placed Kamala Harris at a distinct disadvantage.
Once Harris finally entered the fray, she appeared hesitant; her media engagements were scarce until the final weeks.
Tentative plans to appear on Joe Rogan’s podcast fell apart at the last moment, a misstep considering Rogan’s audience exceeds that of CNN and MSNBC combined.
Even before election day arrived, blame was exchanged.
Brett Bruen, a former Obama advisor, noted, “Clearly, many of us feared that Biden simply didn’t have the stamina for another four years.”
“If Harris loses, it will come down to Biden’s refusal to step down sooner.”
Leadership and Lessons
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders argued that Democrats faltered by not prioritizing working-class interests.
“It should surprise no one that a Democratic Party that has neglected its working-class base would see them pick up and leave,” he remarked.
“While Democratic leadership defends an outdated status quo, the American populace is fed up and demanding meaningful change—and they are justified,” he stated.
This perspective was met with disapproval from Democratic chair Jaime Harrison, who dismissed his comments as “straight-up BS.”
For the latest on the 2024 U.S. Election:
John F. Kennedy once asserted that “leadership and learning are inseparable.”
Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton continues to blame James Comey, the FBI, and foreign interference for her 2016 downfall.
In reality, she lost because Trump successfully resonated with rural and small-town working-class voters, giving them a stake within the Republican Party.
The shift of these voters away from the Democrats has only contributed to Trump securing another term.
Kamala Harris shouldn’t point fingers at external circumstances for her defeat.
For the Democratic Party to rise again, it must confront its shortcomings head-on.
It all begins with a simple yet profound realization: “It’s not you; it’s me.”
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
