After the election of the American president Donald TrumpAfter the campaign’s resounding victory, Democrats spent Thanksgiving thinking about what went wrong, with many admitting that President Biden’s handling of the crisis border crisis alienated voters and gave Republicans control of the White House, the New York Post reports.
Party members privately acknowledged that their failure to address concerns about illegal immigration had harmed the vice president Kamala Harris‘ campaign.
“Bad political practice”
“We destroyed ourselves on the issue of immigration in a way that was completely predictable and completely manageable,” one Democratic senator told The Hill, acknowledging the party’s role in their electoral defeat. “We have completely mishandled this issue, including our Democratic caucus here. “It’s a political mistake,” they added.
A source close to New York Mayor Eric Adams said his warnings about the effects of a porous border on cities and working-class voters had been ignored. “For two years, (he) warned, and they didn’t listen.”
A House Democrat said the party needs to simplify its message to win voters’ support, saying, “We need to admit to the American people that ‘crime and illegal immigration are bad.’
How did Biden’s policies backfire?
Many members of the Blue party blamed Joe Bidenthe country’s border policies for the defeat of the Democrats. These included halting construction of Trump’s border wall, ending the “Remain in Mexico” policy and suspending deportations.
“Why would you do that? Who are you trying to play with? » Another Democratic senator told The Hill, expressing confusion and frustration with Biden’s policies.
In January 2023, Eric Adams warned Biden campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez that working-class voters were unhappy with the growing number of low-skilled asylum seekers. Instead of heeding the warning, Chavez fired Adams, accusing him of using Republican arguments.
“Now Democrats are paying the price,” said an official close to Adams.
Border crisis
The border crisis reached a record level last December with more than 302,000 crossings in a single month. Critics have accused him of hiding the problem by funneling migrants through legal ports of entry.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in January that more than 85% of people crossing the border illegally were being released into the United States, up from 71% the previous October.
These policies fueled Republican attacks, leaving Democrats vulnerable on an issue that mattered deeply to voters.
What led to Trump’s victory?
Trump’s campaign focused on immigration and crime. He pledged to deport criminals and proposed economic reforms like eliminating taxes on overtime and tipping, which appealed to working-class voters.
His message resonated with voters in Hispanic areas of South Texas and South Florida, where he gained strong support. Exit polls showed Trump winning over most Hispanic male voters and increasing his support among black men in key states.
Immigration, alongside inflation and crime, was among voters’ top concerns, helping Trump win back the presidency.