Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders said Wednesday that Vice President Kamala Harris’ lost to President-elect Donald Trump because the Democratic Party has neglected working-class voters.
Sanders pointed the finger at the Democrats for Harris‘ loss in a statement posted to X, formerly Twitter. The reelected Vermont senator criticized Democratic leaders for maintaining the status quo while various demographic groups, including white, Latino, and Black workers, grow increasingly frustrated and demand change.
“It should come as no great surprise that a Democratic Party which has abandoned working class people would find that the working class has abandoned them,” Sanders said. “First, it was the white working class, and now it is Latino and Black workers as well. While the Democratic leadership defends the status quo, the American people are angry and want change. And they’re right.”
Sanders expressed skepticism about the party’s willingness to alter its course or challenge the influence of big money and well-paid consultants who dominate its strategy.
“Will the big money interests and well-paid consultants who control the Democratic Party learn any real lessons from this disastrous campaign?” Sanders continued. “Will they understand the pain and political alienation that tens of millions of Americans are experiencing? Do they have any ideas as to how we can take on the increasingly powerful Oligarchy which has so much economic and political power? Probably not.”
Sanders, who has twice lost in the Democratic presidential primaries, hinted at impending discussions aimed at addressing these issues. “Stay tuned,” he concluded.
Trump increased his support among voters without college degrees, capturing 56%, a 6-point rise from 2020, Reuters reported. Harris secured 55% of college-educated voters, consistent with Biden’s 2020 results.
Trump also maintained strong support among working-class white voters, albeit slightly decreased by 1 point from 2020, achieving 66%, Reuters added. Additionally, Trump improved his vote share by 8 points among non-white voters without college degrees.
Featured Image Credit: Shelly Prevost from San Francisco, United States
