Growing Unease Among Harris Advocates Over Campaign Tactics and Discord

Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign ends in bitter defeat, sparking internal accusations and a blame game among Democrats.

At a Glance

Joe Biden’s late withdrawal blamed for Harris’s election loss.
Major Democrat donor criticizes Biden’s “stupidity and selfishness.”
Harris campaign faced issues with authenticity and misleading claims.
DNC finance committee member expresses frustration over failed billion-dollar campaign.
Supporters feel misled by campaign promises and inaccurate polling.

Biden’s Late Withdrawal and Its Impact

The aftermath of Kamala Harris’s defeat in the 2024 presidential election has ignited a firestorm of criticism within the Democratic Party. At the center of the controversy is President Joe Biden’s decision to run for re-election and his subsequent late withdrawal, which many believe severely hampered Harris’s chances of victory. With only 107 days to campaign as the Democratic nominee before election day, Harris faced an uphill battle from the start.

Whitney Tilson, a prominent Democrat donor, didn’t mince words when assessing the situation. “The ‘stupidity and selfishness’ of Joe Biden cost Kamala Harris the US election,” Tilson stated, initiating a bitter blame game within the party. He further elaborated, “Off the top of my head, right now, here’s how I’m allocating the blame. Fifty percent on Biden for stupidly and selfishly deciding to run again and then not withdrawing earlier.”

Campaign Missteps and Internal Strife

The Harris campaign faced numerous challenges beyond Biden’s late withdrawal. Criticism arose over the party’s handling of Biden’s mental fitness and the delayed transition of power. Internal polling suggested Harris was gaining voters, but a key poll proved to be significantly inaccurate, leading to misplaced confidence within the campaign.

“I was promised… Jen O’Malley Dillon promised all of us that Harris would win. She even put videos out saying that Harris would win. I believed her, my donors believed her, and so they wrote massive checks. I feel like a lot of us were misled,” said Lindy Li, a member of the DNC National Finance Committee.

Harris’s choice of Tim Walz as her running mate was also scrutinized, with many believing Josh Shapiro would have been a stronger option. The campaign’s media strategy came under fire for being too controlled and lacking visibility, with a late media blitz attempting to shift focus onto Trump seen as too little, too late.

The Billion-Dollar Disaster

The financial aftermath of the campaign has left many supporters reeling. Despite raising significant funds, the campaign ended with approximately $18-20 million in debt. This financial mismanagement has led to further criticism and disappointment among donors and supporters.

The perceived lack of enthusiasm from former President Barack Obama, who delayed endorsing Harris, added to the campaign’s struggles. This, combined with Trump’s successful portrayal of Harris as untrustworthy, created a perfect storm that ultimately led to her defeat.

Looking Ahead: Lessons for the Democratic Party

As the dust settles on this electoral defeat, many within the Democratic Party are calling for introspection and reform. Bernie Sanders criticized the party for abandoning the working class, while others point to Trump’s appeal to both working-class voters and minorities as areas where Democrats need to improve.

The 2024 election has exposed deep-seated issues within the Democratic Party and its campaign strategies. As the party looks to rebuild and prepare for future elections, addressing these concerns and rebuilding trust with supporters will be crucial. The Harris campaign’s failure serves as a stark reminder of the importance of authenticity, effective communication, and unity within a political party.