Bernie Sanders slams democratic campaign strategy after Harris' loss

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders sharply criticized the Democratic Party’s strategy following Vice President Kamala Harris' loss to former President Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Sanders, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, called the campaign "disastrous," arguing that it exposed the party’s growing disconnect with working-class Americans.

Sanders, who has long been a staunch advocate for progressive policies, stressed that the Democratic Party's failure to address the needs of the working class contributed to the election loss.

"It should come as no surprise that a Democratic Party which has abandoned working-class people would find that the working class has abandoned them," Sanders said.

He lamented that the party’s leadership, which he accused of defending the status quo, was out of touch with the frustrations of American voters.

The senator also emphasised that the ongoing US military support for Israel, particularly under the leadership of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was deeply unpopular among Americans and a point of contention for many voters.

"Despite strong opposition from a majority of Americans, we continue to send billions to fund the Netanyahu government's war against the Palestinian people," Sanders said, referring to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where thousands of Palestinian civilians have died amid the conflict.

Sanders’ remarks come at a time of heightened political divisions, with growing frustration among younger, progressive voters who feel alienated by the Biden-Harris administration’s stance on key issues like Israel-Palestine.

Sanders, who ran for president in 2016 and 2020, has been one of the most vocal critics of the US’s unwavering support for Israel, especially in light of the ongoing violence in Gaza.

While Sanders recognized that the election results were disappointing, he expressed skepticism about the Democratic Party's leadership taking any meaningful lessons from the outcome.

"Will the big money interests and well-paid consultants who control the Democratic Party learn any real lessons from this disastrous campaign? Probably not," he said.

Despite his criticism of Harris’ loss, Sanders made it clear that the fight against Trump was far from over.

Although Sanders has often been critical of the Biden-Harris administration, he has consistently warned that a second Trump presidency would be a severe setback for progressive causes, especially in terms of foreign policy.

Sanders has previously expressed concern over Trump's close relationship with Netanyahu, describing it as a "dangerous alliance" that could worsen the US’s position in the Middle East.

In the run-up to the election, Sanders campaigned alongside Harris, urging Americans to vote for the Democratic ticket to prevent the return of Trump to the White House.

However, he has also been vocal about the need for a shift in US policy toward Israel and Palestine, arguing that the US should not continue to provide military aid to a government he views as exacerbating the suffering of the Palestinian people.

Even as Harris conceded the election to Trump, Sanders remains committed to advocating for progressive change.

"If you care about climate change, women's rights, or economic justice, you must vote for Harris," Sanders stated, emphasizing that a second Trump term would be disastrous for these issues.

Despite his policy differences with Harris, Sanders made it clear that his focus now is on pushing for more progressive policies, regardless of the election's outcome.

He plans to continue his fight for a more balanced US approach to the Israel-Palestine conflict, and, in the coming weeks, he will introduce a joint resolution in Congress to block U.S. military weapons sales to Israel.

Sanders’ post-election remarks underscore his belief that the work of pushing for change is far from over, and he remains committed to fighting for the values he believes will best serve American working-class citizens, regardless of the party in power.