On a somber Sunday, the disappointing duo of President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris tried to uplift the spirits of Democratic donors who, despite investing considerable sums, found themselves on the losing side of the recent elections. Biden and Harris, along with their respective spouses, pitched unconvincing words of hope at the Democratic National Committee’s holiday reception. The event was squarely aimed at boosting the morale of their key financiers, the ones they expect to continue fueling their misguided efforts as the party scrambles to find its bearings again.
Republicans, however, basked in the glory of their well-earned triumph. Despite an astoundingly costly campaign, with expenditures reaching almost $4.7 billion across the board, they emerged victorious, securing not only the White House and Senate but also preserving their existing control of the House. While the Democrats wallowed in defeat, the Republicans displayed their political prowess.
Biden, ever the optimist, recalled his father’s advice when faced with setbacks: ‘When you get knocked down, you have got to get up’. But it’s hard to see how the Democrats can shrug off this stinging defeat and rise above their glaring mistakes. Biden seemed to dismiss the significance of the loss, stating that the real measure of an individual or party lies in their ability to recover. But the bitter taste of this defeat may linger far longer than he anticipates.
Meanwhile, Harris, who could do no more than play the understudy once Biden’s campaign went up in flames following his catastrophic debate performance, aimed to comfort the concerned donors. Her poor attempt at gratitude merely underscored the failure of the Democratic party to deliver on the promises they pledged to their donors and the people.
It’s fascinating when the numbers come into play. The Democrats and their aligned super PACs and other groups amassed an astonishing $2.9 billion, dramatically overshadowing the approximately $1.8 billion brought in by the Republicans. Interestingly, this didn’t translate to an electoral triumph for the Democrats, proving that money isn’t everything when it comes to winning the trust and respect of the American people.
Harris highlighted the futile effort made by fundraising enthusiasts, who managed to gather a jaw-dropping $700 million from a marathon of 700 events organized by the Democratic finance committee. They rallied, opened up their homes, and stretched out to their friends and families, said Harris, evidently mistaking desperation for determination.
The VP, who now finds herself contemplating her political future, made a meager attempt to encourage her disappointed benefactors. ‘You put your personal capital — and by that, I mean your relationships — at stake to talk with people because you care so deeply,’ said Harris. Judging by the outcome, it appears that these connections did little to sway the tide of public opinion.
Biden did briefly acknowledge the crushing loss that Democrats continue to grapple with. However, wrapped up in denial, he tried to pass off their few achievements as a source of pride, conveniently ignoring the glaring disappointments that far outweighed them.
The administration’s few successes are nothing to write home about. A $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill, the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act aimed at promoting semiconductor manufacturing domestically, and a slight increase in federal environmental spending through the Inflation Reduction Act were meager consolation for their widespread failure. This act, signed into law by Biden in 2022 after scraping through Congress with only Democratic votes, is yet another reminder of their inability to secure bipartisan support.
Notably, Biden made a somewhat laughable assertion, stating ‘We could never have gotten as much done as we did without you,’. His words rang hollow as it was evident that even the impressive financial support couldn’t hide the party’s clear deficiencies.
He audaciously claimed that the donors did more than just contribute monetarily. ‘You were willing to lend your names, your reputation, your character to the effort,’ said Biden. One can’t help but question how much political capital was wasted in backing a party that seems to care more about its image than its substance?
Surprisingly, Biden had the audacity to imply he would remain involved in party affairs even after his exit from the office on January 20. But after such a shambolic performance, is his involvement really something the party or the country needs?
The outgoing President also claimed that he expected Harris to remain a key figure in the party’s future. Based on her track record, however, it looks like the Democrats might need more than hope to rectify their shortcomings.