The action by the DNC to block the public viewing of its own post-election analysis concerning the last presidential race appears stunning yet entirely predictable. Averse to hard truths, the party's leadership apparatus often functions closer to a communications shop than an electoral entity devoted to building grassroots capacities capable of prevailing at the polls.
An Environment That Avoids Dissent
Hesitant to depart from the prevailing attitude of conformity, the committee has remained under the influence of the previous administration throughout this past year. Publishing such a report might have shown that party leaders truly desire to foster honest conversation about the missteps that paved the way for the former president to become president again. Instead, the leadership is moving forward under the pretense that there are no lessons to be learned following the stunning loss from the last cycle.
The top priority: will this lead to victory? If the answer is no, it is an unnecessary diversion from the core mission," an explanation which was presented for withholding the document.
Critical Problems an Autopsy Might Have Addressed
An autopsy report with any value would tackle head-on a series of difficult topics. These include:
- Voter Disenchantment: Losing among millions of voters who voted for the party's candidate during the previous election proved pivotal in the close recent race.
- A Insistence to Seek Re-election: The determined choice of a party leader to stay in the race, and a last-minute step-aside, has been criticized as denying Democratic voters of open primaries.
- Abandoning the Working-Class Base: During a time of rising costs, the electoral effort allegedly bowing to corporate donors' interests while failing to challenge the effects of profit-seeking.
- A Gaza Factor: The refusal to reconsider a stance on a major international conflict allegedly caused losing key demographic groups, especially with young people, Arab American communities, and Muslim Americans.
- A Decline in Youth Backing: Research indicates a huge drop-off of votes for the candidate from voters aged 18-29.
A Pattern Shunning Scrutiny
The decision to withhold fits a longstanding habit of sidestepping uncomfortable facts. It echoes a situation where nearly all elected Democrat in Congress supported a sitting president's determination to running for re-election until a poor campaign event led to a reversal.
At the same time, a significant majority within the party's base had been repeatedly informing surveyors of their opposition to that candidate to seek re-election.
Financial Issues
A substantive autopsy could investigate issues about where money went, including the amounts were directed to party strategists as well as media firms over the course of a campaign that burned through a colossal amount over a few months.
A Underlying Issue
Ultimately, the blockage of the official autopsy points to a deference toward party leaders responsible for an unsuccessful electoral effort. The implication for rank-and-file members – including countless small donors – is that they do not be trusted to know what the insiders have learned from a report drawing from extensive interviews.
A political entity unwilling to publicly examine where it went wrong will struggle to climb out of the pattern that proved so beneficial to the rival party.
