The decision by the DNC to suppress the release regarding its internal autopsy report on the last presidential race appears remarkable yet entirely predictable. Averse to hard truths, the Democrats' governing body operates more like a PR firm than a political organization devoted to building local power for winning elections.
A Climate of Conformity
Hesitant to challenge the party establishment's culture demanding unity, the DNC has continued within the Biden-Harris shadow all through this past year. Publishing an official autopsy would have indicated whether the leadership are interested to foster open debate regarding the strategic failures that paved the way for the former president to win re-election. Instead, the DNC is proceeding as if there's nothing to understand following the tragic debacle from the last cycle.
Our guiding principle: does this help us win? If the answer is no, it becomes a sideline issue from what truly matters," a rationale which was presented to justify concealing the document.
Critical Problems a Report Would Have Explored
A genuine analysis with any value would not dodge certain uncomfortable matters. This encompasses:
- Electoral Disengagement: Failing to retain among millions of voters that backed the Democratic ticket during the previous election became a critical factor during the tight recent race.
- The Decision to Seek Re-election: The determined insistence of a party leader to seek re-election, and an extremely delayed withdrawal, has been criticized as robbing Democratic voters the chance for open primaries.
- Losing Touch With Core Democratic Voters: During a time of rising costs, the campaign allegedly bowing to corporate donors' interests and not managing to challenge the effects of big business.
- A Foreign Policy Effect: The refusal to adjust an approach on a major international conflict allegedly caused driving away significant blocs, notably among youth voters, Arab-Americans, and Muslim Americans.
- A Decline in Young Voter Allegiance: Extensive evidence indicates a huge decline in Democratic support from the youth electorate.
A Pattern of Evasion
The decision to withhold fits a pattern of sidestepping hard truths. It recalls a dynamic where nearly all Democratic officeholder in Congress acquiesced to a sitting president's determination to running for re-election until a catastrophic public debate performance forced an exit.
At the same time, a significant majority of Democratic voters had been repeatedly informing researchers of their opposition to the incumbent to run again.
Campaign Spending Concerns
A thorough analysis could probe matters about where money went, including how much money went to party strategists and ad buyers during a campaign which expended a staggering amount during the general election.
The Larger Issue
Fundamentally, the secrecy regarding the analysis highlights a deference to party leaders responsible for a losing electoral effort. The signal to ordinary supporters – which includes countless dedicated activists – appears to be that they do not be trusted to understand what the insiders claim to have learned from hundreds of interviews drawing from extensive interviews.
An organization unable to honestly assess its mistakes finds it difficult to break free from the cycle which was so advantageous to the winning candidate.
