The Democratic National Committee (DNC) has finally published a postmortem report on its 2024 election defeat, following a backlash over its initial decision to withhold the document. DNC chair Ken Martin apologised for the delay, acknowledging the report would not meet party members' expectations.
The 192-page report, authored by strategist Paul Rivera, focuses on Kamala Harris's loss to Donald Trump and the party's failure to retain control of Congress. It highlights declining support among Latinos, men, and rural voters, and contrasts Harris's performance with successful Democrats like North Carolina governor Josh Stein. The report concludes that Harris 'wrote off rural America' and that Democrats must focus less on 'abstract issues and identity politics'.
Notably, the autopsy omits any mention of Joe Biden's age, the Gaza conflict, or allegations of racism and sexism affecting Harris's campaign. Martin admitted the report was 'not ready for primetime' and lacked underlying source material, prompting the DNC to add disclaimers on every page stating the findings reflect only the author's views.
Martin initially sought to shelve the report to avoid distracting from the 2026 midterms, but reversed course after accusations of a cover-up. He said the release was necessary for public trust, though he cautioned it would not 'meet your standards'. The report's credibility has been further questioned by internal notes challenging factual claims, including details about the January 6 Capitol attack.
