Rahm Emanuel, the current U.S. Ambassador to Japan, has publicly criticized Vice President Kamala Harris for her role in the recent presidential election.
Newsweek reported that Emanuel expressed disappointment in Harris's failure to act as a transformative leader in a race that culminated in Donald Trump's victory.
Emanuel voiced his concerns on "The Axe Files" podcast, hosted by David Axelrod. He lamented that Harris did not fulfill the potential of her unique background to become the change agent that the Democratic Party desperately needed.
Rahm Emanuel's criticisms come at a time when he is being considered as a potential candidate for the chairmanship of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). This role is pivotal as it will influence the strategic direction of the party after its recent electoral defeat.
While Emanuel has not officially declared his candidacy, his high profile and extensive experience in both legislative and executive roles make him a strong contender.
The election for the next DNC chair is scheduled for February 1, with several forums planned in January to debate the future direction of the party.
The defeat of Kamala Harris has ignited a debate within the Democratic Party about its future course. Emanuel criticized the party's strategy of aligning too closely with the political establishment, which he argues has led to a credibility crisis among the electorate.
This criticism is pointedly relevant as Donald Trump effectively used public dissatisfaction with the establishment to secure his electoral victory.
Emanuel highlighted major failures attributed to the establishment, such as the Iraq War, the 2008 financial crisis, and the mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic, which he believes have eroded public trust.
On the podcast, Emanuel elaborated on Harris's campaign dynamics, stating, "When 70 percent of the country says it's headed in the wrong direction, the bones of the election are there. On the other hand, Donald Trump ran a race against the Kamala Harris of 2020, not the Kamala Harris of 2024. They had an obligation to change that, become the change agent she could have, by the nature of her biography, being the change agent. And she didn't. The campaign did not posture that."
He criticized the Democratic Party's decision to "embrace the establishment" at a time when anti-establishment sentiments were high, suggesting that this misalignment severely damaged the party's standing with the American public.
"Our decision, when the establishment was hated, years later in COVID, became the voice of the establishment and embraced the establishment. That has destroyed the party. I think, because, in the last 20 years, the elite and the establishment have lost any credibility with the American public," Emanuel said.
As the DNC prepares to elect its new leader, several prominent Democrats are considered contenders. These include DNC Vice Chair Ken Martin, Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler, former Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley, and New York State Senator James Skoufis.
Each candidate brings distinct perspectives and strategies for reviving the party's fortunes, reflecting the broad spectrum of views within the party about the best path forward.
David Axelrod highlighted the need for a strong and strategic party leader, stating on his Twitter handle, "@HacksonTap: Ambassador@RahmEmanuel. There may be others but he is kind of sui [generis]: Dude knows how to fight and win!"
The debate over the future of the DNC is not just about leadership but also about the philosophical direction of the party.
Progressive Democrats, including Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, have voiced strong opinions about the need for leadership that resonates more with working people rather than the donor class.
