Following Kamala Harris’s defeat in last year’s presidential election, a debate is intensifying within the Democratic Party regarding the effectiveness of strategies employed by operatives who rose to prominence during the Barack Obama era. While many Democrats still admire the successes of Obama’s campaigns, a growing sentiment suggests the party needs to look beyond the established playbook and embrace new approaches to connect with a changing electorate.
The article details an instance where Jim Messina, an alum of Barack Obama’s campaigns, declined an offer to help lead Kamala Harris’s White House bid, reportedly after being warned of potential political repercussions by a longtime Harris critic. This anecdote underscores a broader concern within the party about the continued relevance of past strategies.
David Plouffe, celebrated as the architect of Obama’s 2008 victory, played a significant role in Harris’s campaign and now faces scrutiny in the wake of her loss. Democratic megadonor John Morgan offered a blunt assessment, suggesting that the “shine’s off Plouffe” and that the Democratic Party needs fresh perspectives.
Democratic National Committee (DNC) officials have also weighed in, with some attributing the party’s current challenges in local organizing to a lack of investment in state parties during Obama’s two terms. Furthermore, the so-called Obama coalition of voters, comprising less politically engaged individuals, younger voters, and voters of color, did not perform as expected in 2024, with significant shifts toward Donald Trump within these demographics.
Looking ahead to the 2028 election, some Democrats believe the party stands at a potential turning point, one that may necessitate a departure from the strategies and the influence of the operatives who have dominated Democratic politics for nearly two decades, largely stemming from decisions made during Obama’s tenure.
While Obama himself remains a popular figure within the party, his influence may be waning, particularly among younger voters who have come of age in the era of Donald Trump. Democratic strategist Mike Nellis noted a “nostalgia for the Obama era” but acknowledged the significant shifts in the political landscape since then.
Internal criticism has surfaced, with many Democrats pointing to various factors contributing to Harris’s defeat, including a compressed timeline due to President Biden’s late decision not to seek re-election. Plouffe himself reportedly criticized Biden’s handling of the situation. This criticism has, in turn, opened Plouffe and other Obama alums to their own share of blame. DNC Finance Chair Chris Korge called for a re-evaluation of reliance on established consultants and the inclusion of “new forward-looking people,” asserting that “the old Obama playbook no longer works.”
Jane Kleeb, the Nebraska Democratic Party chair and a DNC vice chair, emphasized the need for the party to reinvest in local stakeholders and organizers, highlighting a recent mayoral election in Omaha where a focus on local issues proved successful, contrasting with the perceived failures of national strategies in 2024.
However, some within the party, like longtime Biden ally Steve Schale, who also worked on Obama’s campaigns, have defended the contributions of figures like Plouffe. Schale lauded Plouffe’s insights and expressed gratitude for his continued engagement.
Chuck Rocha, who advised Bernie Sanders’s 2020 presidential bid, pointed to the limited number of firms that dominate the market for Democratic political operatives, often locking in candidates early and restricting opportunities for new talent.
Ultimately, the article suggests a Democratic Party grappling with how to adapt to a changing political environment and electorate, with a growing debate over the continued reliance on the strategies and personnel that defined the Obama era. Some within the party are advocating for a renewed focus on grassroots organizing and fresh perspectives, while others defend the experience and expertise of established strategists. The upcoming election cycles will likely determine the direction the party ultimately takes.
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