CNN contributor and former Obama adviser David Axelrod told analysts that Vice President Kamala Harris lost the presidential election to former President Donald Trump on “racism” and “sexism.” He told them to keep a “calm eye.”
Early Wednesday morning, most news outlets declared Trump the winner over Harris after a historic political comeback that saw her return to the Oval Office in January.
In his post-election night analysis, Axelrod was hesitant to blame Harris' defeat entirely on bias, but he did think “racial bias” and “sexism” were influencing the outcome. Those who don't have it said it's “wrong.”
“There were invocations of racism in this campaign, there is racism in this country, there is sexism in this country, and anyone who thinks that had no effect on the outcome of this election. is wrong,” Axelrod said. .
“I'm not saying that's the main reason why Kamala Harris lost and Donald Trump won,” he said, adding that Trump “honestly, strategically” and “very smartly He pointed out that he had carried out an election campaign.
“In the end, this was a rational, well-conceived, well-executed campaign for an often irrational candidate, and they were able to push him past him and make sure that his message, or his “We were able to sell the message that they thought we should be selling,” Axelrod said.
“But let's not confuse what this was and what it wasn't,” he added. “Let's think about it very calmly.”
Co-panelist Van Jones echoed Axelrod's frustration, explaining that candidates of color have their limitations.
“There is such a license.” [Trump] Jones said such behavior is unthinkable for a candidate who doesn't have “that phenotype.”
Jones suggested that despite Harris' qualifications as a prosecutor, senator and vice president, her loss reflected society's biases.
“She's not Oprah or Beyoncé,” he concluded.
