This move by the DNC to suppress the release regarding its internal autopsy report concerning the last presidential race is remarkable however entirely predictable. Resistant to hard truths, the DNC often functions closer to a PR firm rather than a political organization focused on building local power capable of prevailing at the polls.
A Climate That Avoids Dissent
Hesitant to break with the party establishment's culture of conformity, the committee has stayed under the influence of the previous administration throughout this past year. Making public such a report would have indicated whether party leaders truly desire to encourage honest conversation about the strategic failures which allowed Donald Trump to return to the White House. Yet, the leadership is moving forward under the pretense that there are no lessons to be learned from the tragic debacle from the last cycle.
"Here’s our North Star: is this good for winning elections? If the answer is no, it is an unnecessary diversion from our fundamental goal," a rationale reportedly given to justify concealing the document.
Key Issues 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 of millions of voters who voted for the Democratic ticket in 2020 was decisive in the narrowly decided recent race.
- The Choice to Seek Re-election: The unwavering choice of a party leader to stay in the race, coupled with a last-minute step-aside, is viewed as denying Democratic voters of a genuine choice.
- Failing Everyday Americans: While facing economic anxiety, the campaign reportedly bowing to corporate donors' interests while failing to challenge the effects of profit-seeking.
- The Gaza Factor: The refusal to shift a stance regarding a major international conflict allegedly caused alienating significant blocs, notably with young people, Arab-Americans, and Muslim Americans.
- A Decline in Youth Backing: Polling data demonstrates a significant decline in votes for the candidate among the youth electorate.
A Record Shunning Scrutiny
Choosing secrecy is consistent with a longstanding habit of sidestepping difficult realities. It echoes a dynamic in which virtually every elected Democrat in Congress supported a sitting president's insistence on running for re-election until a disastrous televised debate forced a change.
Meanwhile, a significant majority of the electorate were consistently telling pollsters of their opposition to the incumbent to seek re-election.
Financial Concerns
A substantive report would also investigate questions about where money went, such as what sums were directed to insider consultants and media firms during an electoral effort that burned through a staggering war chest in a short period.
The Larger Issue
Ultimately, the suppression regarding the analysis is symptomatic of an allegiance to party leaders responsible for a losing electoral effort. The implication for ordinary supporters – which includes millions of small donors – appears to be that they do not have a right to understand what the insiders say they discovered from an analysis compiled from extensive interviews.
A party unable to critically review its own failings finds it difficult to climb out of the pattern which was so beneficial to the winning candidate.
