California Senator-elect Adam Schiff expressed that the “entire Democratic Party” is accountable for Vice President Kamala Harris’ election defeat as party leaders continue to assign blame for their significant losses earlier this month.
During an interview on “Meet the Press” on Sunday, host Kristen Welker played a clip of Schiff from a month before Election Day where he confidently predicted that Harris would win by a large margin.
When questioned about what went wrong for the Democrats, Schiff responded, “I believe Joe Biden’s decision to step aside and pass the torch was the correct decision. It provided us with an opportunity to win, not a guarantee. I believed she could win. I thought she could secure victory in all the battleground states.”
DEMOCRAT ADAM SCHIFF WINS DIANNE FEINSTEIN’S FORMER SENATE SEAT
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 attributed President-elect Donald Trump’s victory to an “anti-incumbent wave” in the United States that targeted both progressives and conservatives, with the Democratic Party becoming associated with the status quo.
“That was a hurdle too high to overcome. I believe the primary issue is the economy,” he stated. “For years and decades, it has increasingly become challenging for full-time workers to make ends meet. Until we address this economic challenge, we may discover that winning the presidency is simpler than retaining it.”
DEPRESSED MEDIA REACT TO TRUMP VICTORY: HOW COULD THIS POSSIBLY HAVE HAPPENED?
When pressed further by Welker, Schiff avoided agreeing with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who placed blame on President Biden for prolonging his stay in the race and costing the party the election.
Schiff redirected the discussion, emphasizing the need for Democrats to make a fresh case to the American public who no longer perceive the party as representing their interests.
“Senator-elect, do you believe that President Biden bears some responsibility for staying in too long?” Welker persisted.
Vice President Kamala Harris delivers a concession speech after the 2024 presidential election, on Wednesday, Nov. 6, on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. (AP/Jacquelyn Martin)
“I believe the entire Democratic Party shoulders the responsibility,” retorted Schiff.
 “Myself included, as well as the former president…they conducted a successful campaign. They deserve credit for that. The challenge we face is the necessity to present a bold plan for advancing the economy, ensuring that the economy benefits all Americans. For me, the critical question is whether hardworking individuals in America can still achieve a prosperous living, and too many doubt the feasibility of that.”
Following Trump’s decisive victory, Democrats have been attributing blame to various factions within the party for Harris’ unexpected loss. Biden was faulted for remaining in the race for too long, while others pointed fingers at Harris for shielding Biden’s cognitive decline. Vermont Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders placed the blame on the Democratic Party for “neglecting” the working class.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Additional Democrats and insiders singled out former President Barack Obama for the defeat, as reports surfaced indicating Obama worked behind the scenes during the summer to push for Biden’s removal from the race. Certain media commentators faulted the Democratic Party’s shift away from blue-collar, middle-class voters for the loss, with others cautioning that the party’s embrace of “woke” progressive ideologies likely led to their defeat.
Fox News’ Emma Colton contributed to this report.
