Adam Schiff says 'entire Democratic Party' bears the blame for Harris loss: 'Myself included'
'The entire Democratic Party bears the responsibility, myself included and the former president,' Schiff said.
Published November 24, 2024 6:00pm EST
Adam Schiff says âentire Democratic Partyâ to blame for Harris loss
Californiaâs incoming senator addressed what Democrats got wrong in an interview on âMeet the Press.â
California Senator-elect Adam Schiff said the "entire Democratic Party" is to blame for Vice President Kamala Harris' election defeat as party leaders continue to point fingers over their colossal losses earlier this month.
In an interview on "Meet the Press" Sunday, host Kristen Welker played a clip of Schiff on her show a month prior to Election Day when he predicted that Harris would win "overwhelmingly."
Asked now what Democrats got wrong, Schiff replied, "I think Joe Bidenâs decision to step aside and pass the torch is the right decision. It gave us a chance to win, not a guarantee. I thought she could win. I thought she could win in all the battleground states."
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Congressman Adam Schiff speaks at the "Just Majority" Burbank Press Conference on May 26, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Jerod Harris/Getty Images for Demand Justice)
Schiff said President-elect Donald Trump's victory boiled down to an "anti-incumbent wave" in the U.S. "that took out both progressives and conservatives and our party became associated with the status quo."
"That was too much to overcome. I think the principal issue is the economy," he argued. "And over years and decades it has gotten more and more difficult for people working full-time to make a living. And until we resolve that challenge to the economy, we may find the presidency is easier to get than it is to keep."
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Welker pressed further, asking Schiff whether he agreed with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who blamed President Biden for costing the party the election by failing to drop out of the race sooner.
Schiff deflected, arguing instead that Democrats have to make a new case to the American public who no longer feel the party represents their interests.
"Senator-elect, do you believe that President Biden bears some responsibility for staying in too long?" Welker pressed again.
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