cover of episode An Election Autopsy With Steve Schmidt

An Election Autopsy With Steve Schmidt

2024/11/6
logo of podcast Somebody's Gotta Win with Tara Palmeri

Somebody's Gotta Win with Tara Palmeri

Key Insights

Why did Kamala Harris lose the 2024 presidential election?

Kamala Harris' loss can be attributed to several factors: her inability to separate herself from the unpopular Joe Biden, her perceived lack of progressivism, and her failure to articulate a clear vision for the country. Additionally, the Democratic Party's internal conflicts and the media's complicity in promoting a false narrative about Biden's capabilities contributed to her defeat.

What role did Joe Biden play in Kamala Harris' defeat?

Joe Biden's role was significant as he prevented an open primary process, which could have resulted in a stronger Democratic nominee. His unpopularity and the party's insistence on promoting him as fit for a second term undermined Kamala Harris' campaign. His team's control over the narrative and media access further isolated Harris and prevented her from effectively campaigning.

How did the media contribute to the Democrats' loss in the 2024 election?

The media was complicit in promoting a false narrative about Joe Biden's capabilities, which misled the public and undermined the Democrats' credibility. The Biden administration's control over media access and their favoritism towards certain outlets created a biased environment that hindered objective reporting on the candidates.

What was the impact of the Democrats' internal conflicts on the election outcome?

The Democrats' internal conflicts, including progressive vs. moderate factions and the lack of a unified message, confused voters and weakened the party's campaign. The circular firing squad of blame and the failure to address key issues like Biden's unpopularity and Harris' lack of a clear vision contributed to their defeat.

Why did Kamala Harris' campaign struggle to connect with voters?

Kamala Harris' campaign struggled to connect with voters due to her inability to articulate a clear vision for the country, her failure to separate herself from Joe Biden, and her perceived lack of progressivism. Additionally, her campaign's media strategy, which limited her exposure and allowed her to be overshadowed by Biden's team, further alienated potential supporters.

What should the Democratic Party learn from the 2024 election?

The Democratic Party should learn the importance of transparency, open processes, and clear messaging. They must also recognize the need to address voter concerns about issues like the economy, crime, and social issues without alienating moderate voters. Additionally, they should avoid the arrogance and smugness that characterized their approach to the 2024 election.

Chapters

The discussion begins with an analysis of Donald Trump's unexpected victory and the Democrats' failure to offer a compelling alternative.
  • Trump's victory was a clean sweep, indicating a strong desire for change among voters.
  • Kamala Harris was not seen as the change voters wanted, especially under an unpopular Joe Biden.
  • The Democratic Party's internal conflicts and lack of a clear message contributed to the defeat.

Shownotes Transcript

Tara is joined by political strategist and host of the 'Warning’ podcast, Steve Schmidt, to assess the aftermath of Donald Trump’s historic victory over Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. They discuss what went wrong with the Democrats' campaign, shine a light on Joe Biden’s possible role in the defeat, and talk about what Kamala could’ve done differently to improve her standing with voters.

For more of Tara’s reporting, please sign up for her newsletter, 'The Best and the Brightest,' at puck.news/tarapalmeri and use the discount code TARA20.

Host: Tara Palmeri

Guest: Steve Schmidt

Producer: Chris Sutton

Production Supervision: Conor Nevins

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