This action from the DNC to block the publication of its own autopsy report on the last presidential race seems stunning but not surprising. Opposed to unpleasant candor, the party's leadership apparatus operates more like a publicity machine rather than a political organization devoted to building grassroots capacities to secure victories.
A Climate Resistant to Internal Critique
Reluctant to break with the party establishment's culture of conformity, the committee has stayed within that legacy all through this past year. Making public such a report would have indicated that the leadership truly desire to foster public discourse regarding the missteps that paved the way for Donald Trump to win re-election. Yet, the leadership is moving forward under the pretense that there is little to be learned following the tragic debacle from the last cycle.
Our guiding principle: will this lead to victory? If not, it is an unnecessary diversion from the core mission," a rationale which was presented to justify concealing the report.
Major Failures an Analysis Could Have Addressed
An autopsy report of substance would tackle head-on key points of failure. These include:
- Electoral Alienation: The loss of a significant portion of the electorate who voted for the Democratic ticket during the previous election was decisive in the close recent race.
- A Choice to Seek Re-election: The stubborn choice by a party leader to seek re-election, coupled with a last-minute exit, is seen by some as robbing the party's base the chance for a competitive nomination process.
- Abandoning Core Democratic Voters: Amid economic anxiety, the campaign allegedly bowing to powerful financial backers while failing to address the role of profit-seeking.
- The Gaza Factor: The failure to shift a policy position on a major international conflict allegedly caused driving away key demographic groups, especially among youth voters, Arab-Americans, Muslim voters.
- Eroding Young Voter Support: Research shows a huge drop-off in support for the party among voters aged 18-29.
A Pattern Shunning Scrutiny
Choosing secrecy is consistent with a pattern of sidestepping uncomfortable facts. It recalls a dynamic where virtually every elected Democrat in Washington acquiesced to an incumbent's decision for seeking another term right up until a disastrous televised debate forced a change.
Concurrently, a significant majority within the party's base had been consistently telling researchers that they opposed the incumbent to seek re-election.
Campaign Spending Issues
A thorough analysis might also examine issues regarding where money went, including how much money flowed to insider consultants as well as ad buyers during a campaign that burned through an enormous sum in a short period.
The Underlying Problem
At its core, the suppression of the official autopsy highlights a submission to the existing power structure who engineered a disastrous electoral effort. The message for rank-and-file members – which includes millions of loyal volunteers – appears to be that they cannot have a right to see the lessons the insiders say they discovered from a report drawing from conversations with insiders.
A political entity unable to critically review its own failings finds it difficult to escape the cycle that ended up being so beneficial to the rival party.
