William Henry Harrison, recognized as the ninth United States president, was the final occupant of the Oval Office with British origins. Highly notable is his lengthy inaugural address, arguably the longest on record, yet his tenure was remarkably brief, Shakespearean in its tragedy. As the first seated president to pass away while in office, his presidency barely spanned the length of a calendar month. Fashioning a unique narrative in U.S. politics, Harrison was the last politician to endure an election loss, only to subsequently triumph at the next election. This feat had only previously been accomplished by luminaries Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson. Although Richard Nixon won after a long hiatus, most politicians, including Harris, failed to taste victory after an initial defeat.
Since Harrison’s time, the pattern remains prevalent, much to Democratic stalwart Kamala Harris’s dismay. It is a psychological observation, perhaps, that voters exhibit an aversion for electoral ‘losers.’ This disheartening trend for Harris becomes more noteworthy as she decidedly steps away from the race for the California governorship, sparking an undercurrent of conjecture about her potential return to vie for the presidency.
The seemingly growing disdain for the Democratic Party is substantial. Stunning net favorability ratings depict a souring mood among the public, with Democrats lagging notably behind the GOP. A sentiment not observed in more than three decades, the party’s unpopularity appears rooted in dissatisfaction with their internal dynamics, particularly their futile resistance to Trump’s presidency.
Harris’s conundrum embodies this widespread frustration with the Democratic Party, which is multifaceted in its essence. Provocative progressives critique the relentlessness of party members, while moderates argue about the misguided focus of the party’s endeavours, mainly due to a perceived dramatic left-ward tilt focusing on socio-cultural and identity issues. Yet, an underlying and shared ardor to win elections is a unifying theme swirling in the Democratic camp.
The ticket to nomination for Harris in the 2024 election could have been the deliberate strategy of tokenism by Biden — specifically, his explicit intention of choosing a female and later, an African American vice president. Harris, however, seems entwined in a complex issue that extends beyond simple race or gender politics. Her fundamental challenge centers around her inability to allure a wider diversity of voters and broaden the Democratic coalition.
To retain power, Democrats must evolve strategies to influence and convert former Trump supporters. It was not a dearth of Democratic turnout that led to Harris’s downfall, but rather her apparent lack of charisma that failed to resonate with a dynamic electorate. Her discourse often resembled that of an administrative head at a niche liberal arts university, stirring little enthusiasm among voters yearning for genuine authenticity.
Harris’s decision to align closely with Biden, including not differentiating herself from him, also left much to be desired. Aside from the contentious issue of reproductive rights, her beliefs felt painstakingly sculpted by focus groups, failing to appeal in an era where voters demand authenticity and genuine personal convictions.
The symbolism of her inaugural appearance on ‘The Late Show’ with Stephen Colbert since stepping down from office is significant. While the committed ideologically-driven audience of Colbert might have lapped it up, the Democrats need to widen their scope to target a more diverse voting demographic in their quest to win. The folly of nominating Harris again would likely relegate her to a mere historical footnote, a fleeting trivia answer that has long been forgotten.
Hence, if the Democrats venture down the path of Harris’s nomination once again, the future looks dim. She won’t be remembered for a landmark achievement such as becoming the 48th U.S. president. Instead, she’ll likely fade into the political background, a casualty of her own inadequacies and the party’s misaligned strategies.
The failure of Harris to engage a broader spectrum of voters, coupled with her stubborn alignment with Biden and detrimental rhetoric, has widened the gap between the Democratic Party and potential future votes. It is of utmost importance for Democrats to reassess their electoral strategies and take measures to satisfy voter needs.
If the Democrats continue to endorse figures like Harris without scrutinizing the underlying reasons for their electoral failures, they risk further isolating themselves from the mainstream. Achieving electoral success involves a keen understanding of the electorate’s dynamic needs and respecting voters’ intelligence and political diversity.
As the Democratic narrative currently stands, a change in approach is long overdue. The party needs to embrace strategies that respect their constituents’ complex identities and choices rather than relying on out-dated tactics of identity politics and failed re-nominations.
An understanding of history, as depicted by the example of Harrison, is critical. Learning from previous successes and failures should be central to the Democrats’ strategy. The current path, driven by figures such as Harris and Biden, does not inspire hope for a resounding comeback in the next elections. The time for the Democrats to adapt, reconsider their choices and strategize anew is certainly now.
The post Harris & Biden: A Continuation of the Democratic Party’s Downfall? appeared first on Real News Now.
About Author
