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Indrek Sarapuu's avatar

Excellent summary of the "autopsy"!

I had read most of your posts that you referenced.

Peter Nayland Kust's avatar

As I read the DNC report I realized that I actually had a legitimate "autopsy" already, because I had written a fair bit at the time. Everything that proved to be a problem for the Harris campaign I'd already covered.

There's a certain vanity in building an article almost entirely on one's previous work, but in this case that was rather the point. The data was already there. The analysis was already done.

Had the DNC done a curated media analysis and summary from across 2024 they might have produced something worthwhile. Instead they went off into the weeds and got even more lost than they already are.

Peter Nayland Kust's avatar

You're probably close to the mark there.

The reality is the Democrats ran the most incompetent campaign in modern times and none of the decision makers in the party want to face up to that. Everyone "supporting" Harris was more interested in charging the campaign huge fees for every little thing while doing next to nothing.

The cynicism and greed on display from everybody swirling around the Harris campaign was blatant and disgusting, and the party will not say anything about that.

Brandy's avatar

You know why I think they even bothered? I think at the time they and the donors who were very angry their money was lit on fire, wanted to know if it was the establishment, the progressives, or the moderates who were to blame. Then, they were too chickenshite to find out and face it.

Peter Nayland Kust's avatar

You're probably close to the mark there.

The reality is the Democrats ran the most incompetent campaign in modern times and none of the decision makers in the party want to face up to that. Everyone "supporting" Harris was more interested in charging the campaign huge fees for every little thing while doing next to nothing.

The cynicism and greed on display from everybody swirling around the Harris campaign was blatant and disgusting, and the party will not say anything about that.

Brandy's avatar

Very true. They are terrified of telling certain groups or people the truth.

John Smithson's avatar

Yet who is the leading candidate for 2028? Kamala Harris. Even though her biggest news is her separation from her husband Doug Emhoff.

Gbill7's avatar

Brutal and accurate, Peter!

And amazingly, the Democratic Party stills appears to be clueless about EVERYTHING. I’ve heard that Kamala is considered their likely choice for Presidential candidate in 2028 - are they INSANE? (Of course, choosing Gavin Newsom would be just as clueless.)

The most laughable moment of Kamala’s 2024 campaign for me was when she chose “Joy” as her buzzword. She must have received a ton of cranky backlash from potential voters, because “Joy” was dropped in a hurry.

Okay, Peter, today is Primary Election Day in your beautiful Texas. Are you picking up on anything remarkable? A swelling pro-Trump excitement, a landslide for Paxton, or any come-from-behind momentum for an unlikely candidate? Any comments or predictions?

Peter Nayland Kust's avatar

No predictions, although I won't be surprised if Paxton prevails over Cornyn.