In a political twist few expected, President Joe Biden ended his bid for re-election in July 2024, a decision that reverberated throughout the Democratic Party and culminated in surprising electoral outcomes.

The tumultuous year resulted in Vice President Kamala Harris assuming the party's nomination only to face defeat at the hands of Donald Trump, leaving the party grappling with bitter consequences and some members casting blame toward Biden, as the Washington Examiner reports.

Biden's year began with promise following a robust State of the Union address that highlighted his administration's achievements. However, as the months unfolded, skepticism surrounding his capacity to continue leading swelled among party members.

Biden's Debate Misstep Causes Doubts

In June, Biden's performance in a presidential debate became a focal point for concerns about his leadership and cognitive vitality. Observers noted a decline, with a senior Democrat conveying to CNN that there was "a marked difference" in Biden's demeanor.

The debate's outcome intensified calls for the president to reconsider his candidacy, with Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) and Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT) among those urging him to step down.

A growing chorus of Democratic Party lawmakers echoed these sentiments, ultimately leading to Biden's withdrawal from the race the following month. The president threw his support behind Vice President Harris, who subsequently became the party’s official nominee.

Political Ripples After Biden's Exit

Biden's exit marked a turning point in electoral strategy, but it was not without controversy. Following his withdrawal, President Biden faced criticism not just for the decision's timing but also for a controversial pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, which drew significant backlash and complicated the political narrative.

With Harris now heading the ticket, Democratic Party hopes hinged on her campaign’s ability to unify the fractured support base.

Yet, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi publicly distanced herself from Biden, criticizing his late endorsement and suggesting it limited the primary process, leaving some Democrats yearning for an open battle for nomination.

Election Defeat and Party Fractures

Harris's campaign ultimately fell short, losing to Donald Trump by over two million votes nationally. This defeat set off a round of recriminations within Democratic ranks, with some strategists and campaign members pointing fingers at Biden's inability to relinquish the race earlier, thus hampering a unified, long-term campaign strategy.

Mark Longabaugh, a Democratic Party strategist, summarized the feelings of many within the party, asserting, “The truth of the matter is Biden should have stepped aside earlier,” indicating that a longer runway could have allowed for a more comprehensive electoral preparation.

Staffers from Harris's campaign were particularly vocal, blaming Biden and his campaign team for what they saw as a flawed foundation preceding Harris’s near "flawless" campaign bid.

This sentiment was echoed by insiders familiar with Harris’s campaign who remarked on the diverse challenges she inherited from Biden.

Blame Game Intensifies Among Democrats

As President-elect Trump prepares for office, Democrats found themselves embroiled in a blame game, with some aides assigned to Harris’s campaign attributing the entire electoral defeat to Biden’s handling of the transition.

An anonymous campaign aide declared, “Joe Biden is the singular reason Kamala Harris and Democrats lost tonight,” encapsulating the mixture of frustration and disappointment felt widely within the party.

Meanwhile, White House spokesman Andrew Bates defended the vice president’s campaign, framing criticism of Harris as misdirected and asserting that any discontent was at odds with Biden's own views. However, the internal strife underscored the strain between maintaining party unity and addressing the internal disagreements that had surfaced.

Prospects for Democratic Unity

Moving forward, the Democratic Party faces challenges in reconciling the divided perspectives within its ranks, focusing on lessons learned from the electoral loss, and redefining a cohesive strategy for future elections. This period of reflection is pivotal as party members seek to heal and consolidate support among its diverse constituents.

Ultimately, the fallout from Biden's withdrawal and the subsequent electoral loss encapsulates a year of political turbulence for the Democrats, sparking deep discussions about leadership, strategy, and the path ahead amid a shifting political landscape.