A year ago, many Democrats assumed that a Trump nomination would reduce Republican turnout, rally the Democratic base, and result in an easy victory on Election Day. But Democrats awoke this morning to a completely different contest, and they can only question themselves.
- Who pushed President Joe Biden to hold such an early presidential debate?
Were senior Democratic operatives preparing Biden to fail? There was no reason to agree to a debate this early. Were they attempting to construct a pretext to replace him on the ballot? Or were they genuinely surprised by his bad performance? Should they have moved him out sooner? Could they have? Why didn’t he “pass the baton” one year ago?
9: Was it a mistake to remove Biden from the race?
They have to question whether Biden could have won this race. More significantly, would he have caused less damage to their brand? Vice President Kamala Harris has lost popularity among working-class and ethnic voters. Why did Biden actually drop out? He didn’t give news conferences or media interviews, and neither did she. He wasn’t keeping a busy schedule. Neither has she. He was incoherent on policy. Neither was Harris. Should Democratic leaders like Nancy Pelosi have exercised restraint?
8: Didn’t anyone notice how unprepared Kamala Harris was to be the nominee?
Her failure to clarify ideas, think on her feet, and connect with voters must have been observed at some point during her political career. Why didn’t Democrats recognize her deficiencies in fundamental retail politics? What if Democrats had held a mini-primary to determine the best candidate? Obviously, only Harris had access to the Biden war chest. Would they have been better off with a less well-funded candidate capable of taking on former President Donald Trump? Why did mainstream Democrats simply roll over and let this happen? What kind of shenanigans went into her selection as the party’s nominee?
7: What if Harris had selected Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro as her campaign mate?
Democrats must question if popular Gov. Shapiro’s Jewishness would have been a greater liability than the dishonesty of Minnesota’s self-proclaimed “knucklehead” Governor Tim Walz. Should they have been better prepared to vet vice presidential candidates earlier? Would choosing Shapiro ensure Trump’s victory in Michigan?
6: Why was President Barack Obama the final person to endorse?
Was he expecting a competitive primary? Why wasn’t there one? Did he realize how horrible Harris would be at campaigning? Why didn’t he speak out?
5: Why did Democrats not profit as much from the federal response to Hurricane Helene as Obama did from Hurricane Sandy?
The Democratic Party’s whole foundation is based on the belief that government is the solution. However, despite having a golden opportunity to demonstrate government competence, the Biden-Harris administration failed. Yes, it was a terrible calamity. But so was Hurricane Sandy, and Obama’s handling of that crisis was a major changer in the 2012 election. Trump dealt with calamities with compassion and expertise even when he wasn’t in office (think East Palestine, Ohio, and Hurricane Helene). What happened this time?
4: How did they grossly underestimate Trump’s attraction to their own voter base?
Democrats must be questioning themselves if they truly understand America. According to polls, Democrats are losing union voters, minorities, and young at an unprecedented rate. With two past Democratic presidential candidates backing Trump, Harris finds herself courting Dick and Liz Cheney for endorsements. No one else had that on their bingo card for 2024. Did no one think Harris could successfully remove herself from her radical past? Who did they think she’d appeal to?
3: Should Harris have done more to set herself apart from Biden?
She could not think of one thing she would do differently. Why not? Was Biden that self-centered and insecure that he wouldn’t let her create any distance between them? Approximately two-thirds of the population believes the United States is on the “wrong track,” and Democrats can’t think of anything they would do differently.
2: Was it prudent to target Trump’s back with heated comments and minimal Secret Service protection?
Without a doubt, assassination attempts on Trump aided him politically, as did lawfare by hostile prosecutors and judges. Did Democrats consider how terribly their plans could backfire? Did the Democrats really expect that condemning Trump as a fascist Nazi while still professing to unite the country as the party of “joy” would appeal to independent voters? It was likely a feel-good moment for the liberal base, but it was hardly an effective closing argument.
- Do the Bidens secretly want Harris to lose?
Democrats would undoubtedly argue that is garbage, but “garbage” is the point. Biden’s characterization of Trump supporters as “garbage” is the latest in a long line of disparaging remarks directed at millions of Americans. “How could anyone support Trump?” they mutter in agreement. Could Biden have done more to assist her win, even just by remaining silent? He stole the spotlight from her at least twice, holding press conferences exactly opposite major engagements she made, and the garbage comment couldn’t have come at a worse time for the Vice President vying to succeed Joe. Maybe they are resentful about getting bumped off the ticket?