Vice President Kamala Harris’s recent loss to former President Donald Trump has left many within the Democratic Party pointing fingers, particularly toward President Joe Biden. Some Democratic voices, including high-profile party members and Harris’s campaign advisors, are frustrated that Biden did not exit the race earlier, allowing Harris more time to engage with voters and differentiate herself as a candidate.
As Harris officially conceded the election, several of her supporters and party insiders suggested that Biden’s decision to stay in the race until late summer may have hindered her campaign. Andrew Yang, a former presidential candidate and one-time Biden rival, stated that “the responsibility for this loss lies heavily with President Biden.” Biden, who first won the presidency in 2020, faced lower approval ratings and increasing concern over his age but only withdrew a few months prior to the election after a challenging debate with Trump and mounting pressure from Democratic leaders. Party figures, including former President Barack Obama and ex-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, had previously urged Biden to step down to give the party a better chance.
Biden, at 81, had faced calls from various quarters to reconsider his candidacy, but he was confident he could lead another campaign despite public perception around his age. Some analysts believe if he had stepped down at the start of the year rather than waiting until July, it would have significantly affected the party’s standing. Three close advisors to Harris’s campaign anonymously expressed frustration, noting that the late timing left Harris with limited opportunity to establish her own platform apart from Biden’s administration policies. With only 107 days left before the election when she took over, they argued that the compressed timeline prevented her from building momentum and connecting with voters on her terms.
According to some within the party, had Biden stepped aside earlier, there might have been time for a primary contest to select the party’s nominee. This contest could have created a clearer vision for the party by allowing candidates to present diverse policy priorities, thereby strengthening the eventual campaign.
Polls post-election indicated that issues such as high inflation and the nation’s immigration system were on voters’ minds, and many attributed these challenges to Biden’s tenure. David Plouffe, a senior advisor to Harris, refrained from explicitly blaming Biden but noted on social media that the election was a “devastating loss.” He observed that although Harris’s campaign worked hard to close the gap, it wasn’t enough.
Supporters of Harris, including students and community members who attended her concession speech, voiced similar sentiments. Jerushatalla Pallay, a Howard University student, felt that with more time to make her case to the American people, Harris could have significantly improved her chances.
Following the election, Biden has a speech scheduled to discuss the election outcomes. He has publicly praised Harris for conducting a “historic campaign” under “extraordinary circumstances.” Biden’s presidency saw key achievements, including managing the nation’s response to COVID-19, rallying support for Ukraine in its ongoing conflict, and passing substantial infrastructure legislation.
As Trump prepares to re-enter office, he has signaled his intent to reverse many of Biden’s policies, aiming to reshape the federal government’s recent trajectory. His success in the election marked a resurgence for the Republican Party, now poised to control both the White House and the Senate. Trump’s campaign secured pivotal electoral votes across key swing states and marked the first time in two decades that a Republican candidate won the popular vote. Trump notably gained substantial support among Latino voters and increased his margins with younger voters and women, widening the Republican base.
The election results indicate shifts in the political landscape, with a growing Republican base that reflects changing voter priorities. For the Democratic Party, Biden’s decision to remain in the race as long as he did will likely be a subject of ongoing discussion as they look to rebuild in the face of this loss.
