A supporter of US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris reacts during an election night event at Howard University in Washington, DC. — AFP

Anger and soul-searching gripped the Democratic Party early on Wednesday morning, following Vice President Kamala Harris' election loss, which left some party officials and voters bewildered. Harris, who positioned herself as the underdog against Republican rival Donald Trump, had entered the race just three months prior. The nature of her defeat has prompted some Democrats to question the party's future direction.

The harshest criticism leveled at the party accused it of misleading supporters about President Joe Biden's mental fitness. This deception allegedly continued until a disastrous TV debate with Trump in June, which raised concerns and ultimately led to Biden's withdrawal from the race. One Democratic donor questioned, "Why did Joe Biden hold on for as long as he did? He should have disclosed his health issues and stepped down much earlier." Biden, 81, had privately believed he was the only Democrat capable of defeating Trump and publicly vowed he was fit to serve another four years. When he exited the race in July, he stated it was "in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down."

Biden's announcement in April 2023 that he would seek reelection was met with skepticism by many Democrats. Potential challengers quickly aligned themselves as campaign advisers rather than opposing him. "The party needs a complete reboot," said hedge fund manager Bill Ackman, a longtime Democratic donor who endorsed Trump in 2024 on X. "The party lied to the American people about the cognitive health and fitness of the president," he added, noting the absence of a primary to replace him.

The Harris campaign declined to comment, and the White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Supporters react to election results during an election night event for US Vice-President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris at Howard University in Washington, DC. — AFP

WOMEN AND YOUNG VOTERS

The concerns ran deeper. Two key groups Harris was relying on to defeat Trump—diverse young voters motivated by climate change, liberal values, and her social media presence, and women concerned about abortion rights under a Republican administration—shifted towards Trump instead. Edison Research exit poll data showed Trump's share of voters under 45 and women voters increased by two percentage points from 2020. Trump also gained support in many suburban areas where Democrats thought they had made inroads.

Despite the Harris campaign's insistence that the race was close and that she was gaining new voters, one Democratic National Committee official reported receiving angry text messages from party members late on Tuesday night. "They feel lied to by the campaign," the official said. Trump's anti-immigration rhetoric resonated with voters in Democratic strongholds like Connecticut and Massachusetts, mirroring trends seen in liberal democracies where high costs have been blamed on newcomers.

Harris' defeat marks the Democrats' second bitter loss to Trump in three elections. Hillary Clinton's 2016 defeat paved the way for Biden's run. Economists warn that Trump's unorthodox economic proposals, including blanket tariffs on imports, will be costly for U.S. consumers and businesses. His plans to deport millions of undocumented immigrants would disrupt industries and communities. Despite this, Trump secured easy wins in Georgia and North Carolina, states where Democrats thought they were competitive. Harris' campaign, focused on an inclusive vision of the United States and stronger fiscal support for families, emphasized hope and positivity.

Biden and Harris' support of Israel during its assault on Gaza split the Democratic Party, with many progressive Democrats unsuccessfully calling for the U.S. to curb its military aid to Israel. This cost votes among left-leaning Democrats. Harris remained at her residence in Washington while crowds waited outside Howard University, where the campaign had set up a stage and media center, anticipating days of vote-counting before a result. As results began to come in, her campaign co-chair Cedric Richmond took the stage to inform the dwindling crowds that the race was not yet over. Hours later, it was.

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