Democratic Party Withholds 2024 Election Autopsy Amid Internal Criticism
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) has blocked the public release of its autopsy report on the 2024 presidential election, citing concerns that its publication would distract from the party’s core mission of winning future elections. This decision has been framed by critics as a lack of candor and a reflection of deference to establishment interests within the party.
The autopsy reportedly analyzed campaign spending and strategies, including the Harris campaign’s $1.5 billion expenditure over 107 days. However, the full report has not been made public. Drafts of the autopsy are said to avoid directly blaming President Biden or Vice President Harris for the 2024 election outcomes. DNC Chair Ken Martin announced in mid-December that withholding the autopsy was intended to prevent distractions and focus efforts on winning upcoming elections.
Critics argue this decision reflects a recurring pattern of elitism and evasion of difficult truths within the DNC, indicating reluctance to challenge party leadership. Martin’s leadership and his past statements urging Democrats to refrain from public intra-party criticism have contributed to the autopsy’s suppression. Martin reportedly lacked the backing of prominent Democratic figures such as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Majority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
In contrast, RootsAction released its own autopsy titled "How Democrats Lost the White House" by Christopher D Cook, which highlighted key 2024 losses. The report cited that 6.8 million former Biden voters did not support him in 2024. It emphasized mobilization failures by the Harris campaign and the influence of the party’s stance on the Gaza/Israel conflict, which affected youth and minority voters in critical swing states like Michigan. Issues identified include Biden’s late decision to remain in the race, suppression of open primaries, and the working-class base’s alienation as the party courted corporate donors.
The article notes that Harris’s position on Israel/Palestine and the Gaza war played a significant role in voter sentiment, especially among young people and Arab/Muslim voters. The author contends that the lack of public self-examination harms democratic progress and asserts that progressive lawmakers such as Ilhan Omar, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib, Summer Lee, and Ro Khanna remain within the Democratic Party to advocate for reform from within.
