In the aftermath of Donald Trump's presidential victory, a bitter divide emerges between the Biden and Harris camps as they grapple with their campaign's unexpected outcome.
According to Axios, both teams are engaging in finger-pointing, with each side attributing the loss to the other's perceived failures and missteps during the campaign.
The tension has escalated as more than a dozen White House officials and Harris campaign staff members voice their frustrations about the election results. Biden's premise of preventing Trump's return to office has failed, leading to internal discord and mutual recrimination between the two camps. The situation has exposed deep-seated resentments and conflicting narratives about the campaign's strategy and execution.
Top Biden advisers Mike Donilon and Steve Ricchetti face criticism for encouraging the president's re-election bid at age 80. The decision has become a focal point of contention, with one Democrat familiar with White House dynamics questioning their judgment. Meanwhile, Harris's team maintains they ran an almost flawless 107-day campaign, contrasting it with what they view as Biden's problematic initial run.
David Plouffe, a senior Harris aide, made waves by suggesting on social media that the campaign had to overcome significant obstacles, though he later deleted his account. The Biden team has pushed back against these characterizations, emphasizing that the president's decision to run was supported by various advisers and the party leadership, particularly after strong midterm results.
A former Biden staffer expressed frustration with the Harris campaign's management of resources, questioning how they spent $1 billion without securing victory. This criticism highlights the growing divide between the two camps and their different interpretations of the campaign's effectiveness.
The relationship between the Biden and Harris teams became increasingly strained over campaign strategy. Some Biden supporters criticized Harris's team for not utilizing the president more extensively during the campaign despite his low popularity and tendency for verbal missteps. This decision has become a point of contention in post-election analysis.
Former campaign staffers have highlighted broader issues beyond personal dynamics. One former Biden-Harris official spoke about how their economic policies failed to resonate with voters who felt financially stretched. Others pointed to failures in addressing inflation and border security concerns.
Vice President Harris addressed her team during a staff call, acknowledging the difficult situation. As quoted by Harris:
Yeah, this sucks....We all just speak truth, why don't we, right? There's also so much good that has come of this campaign.
The Harris campaign's organizational structure proved problematic, with multiple sources describing a complex approval process that hindered efficient decision-making. The campaign's compressed timeline resulted in an unusual mix of original Biden campaign officials, Obama administration veterans, and Harris loyalists, creating additional tensions.
Some Harris officials perceived resentment from former Biden aides regarding her elevation to the ticket's top position. This dynamic persisted despite Biden's personal support for Harris. The campaign's financial situation has also raised concerns, with reports indicating it ended in debt despite raising over $1 billion in just over three months.
Global political trends played a significant role in the campaign's challenges. The administration faced similar headwinds as other incumbent governments worldwide, struggling with inflation and post-COVID recovery issues.
The aftermath of Trump's victory over the Biden-Harris ticket has unleashed a wave of internal criticism and blame between the two campaign teams, exposing deep-seated tensions and conflicting perspectives on the campaign's execution. The defeat has resulted in a complex web of accusations, with Biden's advisers facing criticism for encouraging his late-life candidacy, while Harris's team defends their abbreviated campaign while pointing to inherited challenges.
