Former President Barack Obama's years of dominating Democratic Party politics may be drawing to a close, as he and party leaders will likely face a "greater reckoning" after Democrats’ losses in the 2024 election, experts predict. The whirlwind presidential election saw the Democratic Party rally around both President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris as their nominee at separate times – all with Obama’s seal of approval.
The political climate shifted with the summer tweet from President Biden, on a Sunday July afternoon, with Obama and his allies deeply entwined with efforts to navigate the party to what they hoped would be an electoral victory come Nov. 5. But as history shows now, things took quite the turn. President-elect Trump notched a decisive win, racking up 312 electoral votes to Harris’ 226 and taking a victory lap for what the media has described as his "historic political comeback"—one of those moments shaking the Democratic establishment as they pivot to combating Trump 2.0 and his policies.
“I think there are going to be big demands for a greater reckoning. The Democratic politburo – Obama, Pelosi, Schumer, Jeffries and others – all participated in the obvious lie of Biden being capable of a second term, and the anti-Democratic move to install untested Vice President Harris,” Democratic strategist Julian Epstein told Fox News Digital when asked about Obama’s legacy after the 2024 election. “And they all failed the test of leadership.”
This month, Obama delivered a speech at the 2024 Obama Democracy Forum, which earned him headlines on MSNBC, stating, "Obama still doesn’t get why Trump won. That’s the problem." Operating as his usual articulate self, he shared thoughts on the state of the nation but failed to grasp one thing: why his eight years culminated with Trump’s rise. The op-ed noted, “There was a massive gaping hole at the center of his speech. The first step to respond to Americans’ demand for change from the status quo is to stop listening to Barack Obama.”
The Democratic Party has faced scrutiny from within, particularly with allies like Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders criticizing the move away from working-class voters, which has opened the door to Trump's rallying support. Vice President Harris, during her campaign, has been criticized for featuring Hollywood celebrities and concert performers, actions labeled tone-deaf as inflation rates soared and public anxiety reached heights linked to various conflicts.
The reckoning has deepened following the election losses, which saw the White House and Senate transition to Republican control and the House remaining steadfastly GOP. “Harris’ advisers blame everything but themselves for their loss,” read an op-ed published recently. Criticism from various angles has surfaced, highlighting how Harris’ campaign team appeared on podcasts led by former Obama aides, denying real responsibility or admitting mistakes made, leaving them to flounder amid the outcry for accountability.
Commentary from outlets like the New York Post declared, “Trump and America bury the Obama doctrine,” with the editorial board noting, “Voters finally saw through the industrialized demonization of Trump—his policies closer to the American ideal.” With remarks echoing this sentiment, they warned leaders steeped in Democrat hierarchy to embrace the truth: they suffered because they failed to connect with the average voter.
Throughout the sun and shade of the political climate, Obama seemed to act as Biden’s political closer to nail down votes and funding, showing up at swanky fundraisers across California and New York. Yet, the election brought scrutiny to President Biden, who faced questions about his mental fitness heightening when Special Counsel Robert Hur suggested Biden as "a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory."
Biden’s gaffes on the national and international stage increased the spotlight on the administration. Critics noted instances like Obama leading Biden around the stage after fundraisers and missteps during international meetings, accumulating insights on Biden's condition. Many wonder how this shaped voters' perceptions—even as Obama defended Biden after his debate performance, framing the situation as contrasting one who knew right from wrong against Trump.
Notably, those associated with Obama have led calls to see Biden exit the race, with names like George Clooney and political strategists advocating quietly behind the scenes. Clooney observed, “It’s devastating to say it, but the Joe Biden I was with… was not the Joe ‘big F-ing deal’ Biden of 2010.” Reports suggested Obama was silent about those rumors concerning Biden’s political future, not directly denying such claims.
For his part, Biden announced his departure from the race via platform X, with Obama commending his service but withholding any endorsements for the future. The move set up Harris as the likely nominee, but the shadows of potential dilemmas dangled there also. Reflecting on their history, it seemed they once shared mutual respect, dating back to her endorsement of him during his first presidential campaign—an auspicious position trailing both their careers.
“Barack Obama will be a president who finally ends the era of fear...” Harris had said back then, indicating their bond of hope. Now, as she navigates the fallout, the specter of the Democratic Party’s current ethos looms. Camp Harris enlisted Obama aides to navigate the political arena as well, yet, faced historical stakes all around, grasping how to appeal effectively to voters who felt ignored.
The weeks leading up to the Democratic National Convention proved pivotal as Harris announced her running mate, promising insights from the administration's former staff woven throughout their campaign initiatives. Yet here they sat, yearning for the revival of the Obama-era glow among legions of voters—who instead felt betrayed or lost as they faced the opposing forces from the right.
For the Democratic Party, recognizing inertia amid all the turmoil will be key as they forge their path forward. The 2024 election highlighted the deep divisions present, and time will only tell if their reckoning leads to revitalized agency or more distant politicking as the wounds of this election linger.
