• Jaime Harrison, the outgoing DNC chair, believes Democrats should have remained loyal to Joe Biden.
• Harrison emphasized Biden's legislative successes and the need for party unity, despite challenges.
• He suggested that Kamala Harris would have benefited from more campaign time.
• Harrison noted the importance of the DNC not acting solely as a "rubber stamp" for campaigns.
• Upcoming DNC chair elections will determine the direction of the party following the 2024 election losses.

As the Democratic National Committee (DNC) gears up to elect a new chair, outgoing leader Jaime Harrison has voiced strong sentiments regarding the party's decision-making amidst the tumultuous 2024 election. In a recent interview, AP reported that Harrison believes Democrats ought to have shown unwavering support for President Joe Biden despite his challenges leading up to the election.

Harrison reflected on the party's defeats and emphasized, "I went into this thinking, OK, you’ve got probably the most successful of my lifetime legislative president who has poured tons of money into making sure that not just Joe Biden and Kamala Harris get elected, but Democrats get elected.” His comments, noted by CBS News, suggest that loyalty should have been a guiding principle when Biden faced roadblocks, particularly after a lackluster debate performance that subsequently led to his withdrawal from the race.

Critics within the party have noted that Biden's exit compromised Kamala Harris’s chances, as she stepped into the campaign with limited time to connect with voters. "Had she had more runway, it would have been probably easier for her and for the campaign," Harrison stated, as shared by The Hill.

Amid these reflections, Harrison underscored the necessity for the DNC to adopt a more proactive stance, urging that it "shouldn't just be a rubber stamp to whatever the campaign wants." This call for structural change comes as the party prepares for critical elections to replace Harrison with candidates like Martin O'Malley and Ken Martin, who aim to restore the party's reputation and appeal to diverse voter bases.

As Harrison departs from his role, he remains hopeful that the party can learn from its recent setbacks and refocus efforts on unity and active engagement with voters, saying, “Don’t sleep on this Democratic Party.” He noted the party's need to rebuild its infrastructure, particularly in the South, where he plans to concentrate efforts in the future, as indicated by Newsweek.

Harrison's reflections, alongside his strong advocacy for Biden, reveal the intricate dynamics within the Democratic Party as it grapples with critical decisions about the future and direction leading to the upcoming elections.