The action from the DNC to block the release of its own post-election analysis concerning the last presidential race is stunning but entirely predictable. Opposed to hard truths, the party's leadership apparatus operates more like a publicity machine rather than a political organization devoted to cultivating local power for winning elections.
A Culture That Avoids Dissent
Unwilling to challenge the party establishment's culture demanding unity, the committee has continued within the Biden-Harris shadow throughout this past year. Releasing an official autopsy could have demonstrated that the leadership are interested to foster public discourse about the missteps that enabled the former president to win re-election. However, the leadership is moving forward under the pretense that there is little to be learned from the stunning loss from the last cycle.
"Here’s our North Star: does this help us win? If the answer is no, it’s a distraction from our fundamental goal," a rationale that has been offered to justify concealing the document.
Critical Problems a Report Could Have Explored
An autopsy report with any value would confront key points of failure. This encompasses:
- Electoral Alienation: Losing among millions of voters that backed the Democratic ticket in 2020 became a critical factor during the tight recent race.
- The Decision to Seek Re-election: The determined decision of the incumbent to run again, coupled with a very late withdrawal, is viewed as robbing Democratic voters the chance for open primaries.
- Failing Everyday Americans: While facing rising costs, the campaign is criticized for accommodating powerful financial backers and not managing to challenge the impact of corporate greed.
- The Foreign Policy Impact: An unwillingness to shift a stance on a major international conflict allegedly caused losing key demographic groups, especially among young people, Arab-Americans, and Muslim Americans.
- A Decline in Youth Allegiance: Research indicates a significant drop-off in support for the party from voters aged 18-29.
A Pattern Shunning Scrutiny
The decision to withhold is consistent with a pattern of sidestepping uncomfortable facts. This mirrors a situation in which nearly all Democratic officeholder in Congress acquiesced to an incumbent's determination to running for re-election right up until a catastrophic public debate performance compelled an exit.
Meanwhile, overwhelming numbers of Democratic voters were repeatedly informing surveyors that they opposed that candidate to be the nominee.
Financial Questions
A thorough autopsy would also investigate questions about where money went, such as what sums went to insider consultants as well as media firms during an electoral effort that burned through a staggering sum in a short period.
The Broader Issue
Ultimately, the blockage regarding the analysis is symptomatic of an allegiance to the existing power structure responsible for a disastrous electoral effort. The signal for ordinary supporters – which includes millions of dedicated activists – appears to be that they do not be trusted to see what the leadership have learned based on an analysis based on conversations with insiders.
An organization unwilling to honestly assess where it went wrong will struggle to climb out of the pattern that proved so advantageous to their opponents.
