Democratic Party’s Credibility on Democracy Questioned Amid Recent Election Disputes
Vice President Kamala Harris and the Democratic Party have long argued that “democracy was on the ballot” in recent elections, but their efforts to rally voters around this message largely fell flat. Many analysts now suggest that Americans are more concerned with their immediate, practical needs than with abstract ideals about democracy.
However, some critics argue that the Democratic Party itself has undermined its credibility on this front, citing its handling of internal processes and candidate selection.
In recent months, the party faced criticism for shielding President Joe Biden from scrutiny over his mental fitness, even dismissing concerns from within the party. When Representative Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) and Marianne Williamson voiced concerns about Biden’s unchallenged re-election bid, the party moved to prevent them from gaining traction.
The Florida Democratic Party even canceled its primary to protect Biden’s candidacy, while the Wisconsin Democratic Party faced legal challenges after attempting a similar move.
Additionally, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) took a controversial stance against Robert Kennedy Jr.’s primary challenge, employing a “war room” to discredit his campaign.
Kennedy ultimately left the party. Meanwhile, Democratic leaders in states like Colorado and Michigan sought to bar former President Donald Trump from ballots, citing a novel interpretation of the 14th Amendment and his alleged involvement in the January 6 Capitol insurrection.
The situation worsened when the DNC, once protective of Biden, shifted its focus to anointing Kamala Harris as the next viable candidate, despite her lack of support in the 2020 primaries.
Harris, who had dropped out of the 2020 race before any votes were cast, found herself thrust into the spotlight as the Democratic choice, raising questions about the party’s commitment to an open and fair electoral process.
These actions are part of a broader pattern within the Democratic Party. In various states, the party campaigned against ballot referenda aimed at reforming primary elections and giving independent voters a greater role in choosing candidates.
Despite efforts in states like California and Washington to create more inclusive primary systems, the party has continued to resist changes that would allow a broader, more representative electorate.
While these issues are not exclusive to the Democratic Party, the party’s rhetoric on democracy clashes with its actions. The Democratic Party has long positioned itself as the champion of democratic rights for ordinary Americans, yet its internal tactics suggest a disregard for the very principles it claims to uphold.
This discrepancy has led to increased skepticism among voters, particularly independents, who now make up the majority of the electorate. With 51% of Americans identifying as independents, the current system increasingly leaves them voiceless in the primary process.
As the Democratic Party reflects on the outcome of recent elections, it may need to address the widening gap between its stated values and its actions, if it hopes to regain the trust of voters in future elections.