Shattered Democrats grapple with Kamala Harris' loss
Democrats called for a party reckoning on Wednesday, as they attempted to pick up the pieces of their shattered organization a day after Kamala Harris’ loss.
Democrats called for a full party reckoning on Wednesday, as they attempted to pick up the pieces of their shattered organization a day after Vice President Kamala Harris’ loss to former President Donald Trump.
Interviews with more than a dozen campaign aides, strategists, elected officials and battleground state Democrats revealed a party consumed by fury, sorrow, finger-pointing and self-reflection. Many were granted anonymity so they could speak frankly about internal dynamics while emotions were still raw.
They said they see a party that drifted far from its onetime identity as the protectors of those left behind, to represent the party elites. They questioned the campaign’s decision to focus on reaching out to “soft” Republicans when they had their own issues with base voters.
Some spoke of revamping the party’s outlook on immigration, calling for stricter enforcement on the border. They saw the rising support for Trump in metro areas as a backlash from early policies during President Joe Biden’s administration that enabled migrants to flood into blue states, where they were often housed and financially supported even as working-class residents struggled to receive services.
“This is a realignment. Our country has moved to the right. It’s not center left. Our party needs to grapple with it and find its footing in that world,” said Rep. Nikki Budzinski, an Illinois Democrat who won by double digits in a purple district after campaigning heavily on the economy. “It takes time. Finger-pointing is not worth it at all. This was a message. The voters were speaking to us. It would be to our detriment to not hear it.”
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