The Democratic National Committee (DNC) has decided against publicly releasing a formal review of its 2024 presidential election loss, arguing that doing so would hinder the party's current momentum. The so-called 'autopsy' of Vice President Kamala Harris's defeat by Donald Trump has been completed, but its findings will remain internal.
Focus on Winning the Future
DNC Chair Ken Martin confirmed the decision in a recent statement, marking a shift from his earlier position favouring a public release. He stated the review was finished and that the committee was "already putting our learnings into motion." Martin emphasised a forward-looking strategy, declaring, "We're winning again – even in places that haven't gone blue in decades."
The core rationale, according to Martin, is a single guiding principle: "does this help us win? If the answer is no, it's a distraction from the core mission." A DNC official elaborated that producing and disseminating a retrospective report would consume valuable time and focus needed for upcoming electoral battles.
What the Review Entailed
The internal assessment was comprehensive. A party official confirmed that the DNC interviewed stakeholders across all 50 states, examining issues from both the presidential race and down-ballot contests in 2024, as well as longer-term structural challenges.
The results yielded lessons on organising, communications, fundraising, and spending. Notably, the review found that Democrats outspent Republicans at every level during the campaign, yet still suffered defeat. The party claims it is already implementing plans to address identified weaknesses.
Speculation and External Analysis
The contents of the confidential report have been a subject of intense speculation for months. Earlier reports, including from The New York Times in July, suggested the review would likely sidestep contentious questions about candidate selection, such as whether President Joe Biden should have sought re-election or exited the race sooner, and if Kamala Harris was the optimal replacement.
Meanwhile, external groups have conducted their own analyses. The progressive grassroots organisation RootsAction released its 'autopsy' earlier this month, concluding that the Harris campaign erred by focusing too heavily on courting moderates at the expense of mobilising the Democratic base of working-class, young, and progressive voters.
The DNC's choice has found support from some party insiders. Xochitl Hinojosa, a former DNC communications director, called it the "right call," arguing, "Democrats don't need to engage in a handwringing exercise about last year's elections when we're winning this year's elections." The party now aims to channel all energy into securing victories in the forthcoming midterms.
