The Democratic National Committee (DNC) recently released an “autopsy” report aiming to explain Kamala Harris’s loss in the 2024 presidential election to Donald Trump. However, many Black Democratic strategists argue the report does more to expose the party’s systemic failures, particularly its lack of investment in Black infrastructure, than to offer genuine solutions. They feel the report vindicates Harris while highlighting a troubling indifference towards the party’s most loyal voting bloc.
Vindication for Kamala Harris?
The report, authored by strategist Paul Rivera, suggests that the White House and the Harris campaign were ill-prepared. It specifically notes that the administration failed to adequately position and support Vice President Harris, leaving her vulnerable to Republican attacks, such as the inaccurate “border czar” label. The report states the White House neglected crucial research into how Harris could best communicate her message and resonate with key audiences.
Democratic strategist Ashley Etienne, who previously served as Harris’s communications director, believes the report confirms what many have suspected. “It’s another insult to Black people, the way that she was treated, but…the way that she was treated is emblematic of how the party treats Black people in general,” Etienne told TheGrio. She described the party’s attitude as one of “all-out indifference, and to some degree, a level of resentment toward Black people.”
The ‘Black Infrastructure’ Problem
A major criticism leveled by Black strategists is the report’s failure to detail the party’s investment—or lack thereof—in building a robust political infrastructure within Black communities. While acknowledging “dramatic drops in support among young Black men” and insufficient organizing efforts, the report offers no concrete plans for mobilizing these crucial voters.
Etienne argues that Black strategists and operatives are often excluded from decision-making and resource allocation. “Decisions were made to line people’s pockets and not win an election,” she stated, noting the absence of Black firms in the report’s financial breakdowns. “Why give money to white firms to talk to Black people? Why keep putting money on television and not investing in Black media, where we know we actually are?” she questioned.
Systemic Failures and Missed Opportunities
Strategists like Joel Payne, who worked on the 2016 Clinton campaign, suggest that Black voters, particularly men, are being used as a “convenient scapegoat” rather than addressing the party’s systemic failures. He argues that Trump’s marginal gains among Black voters were not the deciding factor in the election. Antjuan Seawright, another Democratic strategist, echoed this sentiment, stating the party “wants our output but certainly does not want our input,” treating Black voters as an “expense” rather than an “investment.”
Michael Hardaway, who advised on Obama’s 2008 campaign, believes that leadership, including Harris, should be held accountable for the team they assemble. He pointed out that despite significant job creation and economic successes under the Biden-Harris administration, these achievements were not effectively communicated to voters. “The Biden White House created 15 million plus jobs… but no one actually knew about those things,” Hardaway noted.
A Call for Investment and Power
The strategists emphasize the urgent need for the Democratic Party to invest seriously in Black media, influencers, and community organizing—not just in the “11th hour” but throughout the entire election cycle. They argue that Black communities, facing significant political and economic challenges, deserve an explanation and, more importantly, a genuine commitment to building Black political power. As Etienne put it, “The party owes us an explanation because we’re bearing the brunt of the failures… and then at the end of the day, we get blamed for it…enough is enough.”
What are your thoughts on the DNC’s autopsy report and the issues raised about Black infrastructure? Share your views in the comments below!
