DNC Chair Jaime Harrison Defends Biden Amid Post-Election Criticism from Sanders and Yang
Photo: Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post via Getty
In the wake of Vice President Kamala Harris’s loss to President-elect Donald Trump in the 2024 election, Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chair Jaime Harrison has pushed back against the wave of criticism directed at President Joe Biden. Taking to X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, Harrison expressed his frustration, stating, “This is straight-up BS. Biden was the most pro-worker President of my lifetime.”
Harrison’s remarks were in response to comments from Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), who openly criticized the Democratic Party’s approach to the 2024 election. Following Trump’s victory, Sanders argued that the Democrats had failed to connect with working-class, Latino, and Black voters, blaming the party’s alignment with wealthy donors and high-paid consultants. “Will the big money interests and well-paid consultants who control the Democratic Party learn any real lessons from this disastrous campaign?” Sanders questioned.
He went on to condemn the party’s inability to challenge what he described as an increasingly powerful oligarchy, stating, “Probably not.” In response, Harrison staunchly defended Biden’s legacy, particularly his record on labor issues. Citing examples from Biden’s presidency, Harrison highlighted the president’s support for union workers, his historic appearance on a picket line, and his role in securing a $36 billion investment to shore up union pensions.
“[Biden] saved Union pensions, created millions of good paying jobs, and even marched in a picket line,” Harrison wrote. He also defended Harris, emphasizing her policy platform’s potential to address economic inequality and close the racial wealth gap. “Some of [Harris’s] plans would have fundamentally transformed the quality of life and closed the racial wealth gap for working people across this country.”
Harrison’s post-election defense comes as multiple prominent Democrats express dissatisfaction with the party’s strategy. Sanders’s comments are part of a larger critique of the Democratic Party’s campaign direction, especially as Harris faced off against a candidate with a controversial record, including multiple criminal convictions and a history of inflammatory remarks. According to Sanders and other critics, the party’s leadership failed to fully capitalize on these issues, ultimately losing a crucial opportunity to hold the White House.
Former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang also weighed in, suggesting that Biden should have stepped aside prior to the primary season. According to Yang, this would have allowed Harris more time to solidify her platform and strengthen her campaign against Trump. Yang’s remarks reflect a growing sentiment within the Democratic Party that Biden’s continued leadership limited Harris’s ability to appeal to voters and compete effectively.
Despite the criticism, Harrison remains unwavering in his support of Biden’s record and Harris’s policy ambitions. While acknowledging the array of post-election analyses circulating, he dismissed Sanders’s criticism, saying, “There are a lot of post-election takes and this one ain’t a good one.”
As the Democratic Party regroups after its loss, Harrison’s defense highlights the internal divisions emerging around the party’s messaging, voter outreach, and strategic choices. While Sanders and Yang call for a reevaluation of the party’s priorities, Harrison’s rebuttal underscores his belief in Biden’s pro-worker achievements and the potential of Harris’s progressive policies. The DNC now faces the challenge of reconciling these differing perspectives as it looks toward future elections and works to strengthen its connection with the diverse voter base it aims to represent.
