Rivera Says Democrats Cut Chapter on 2024 Loss and Self-Enriching Operatives From Autopsy
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Aug 3
Rivera Says Democrats Cut Chapter on 2024 Loss and Self-Enriching Operatives From Autopsy
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Aug 3
Summary
Paul Rivera told the New York Times a chapter titled “What Happened in 2024” was removed from the Democratic autopsy report released in May, despite the DNC’s earlier claim that the document was published in full.
The missing section, which Rivera said he handed to chair Ken Martin in January, questioned Joe Biden’s re-election bid, described operatives as “generationally wealthy off politics,” and argued party leaders misread voter anger over the status quo.
Ken Martin denied the account, saying the alleged section was not in any binder he reviewed and would have been released if the party had received it.
The chapter published by the Times said Democrats overread pre-election wins, failed to persuade voters Trump was unacceptable, lost ground with Latino and male voters, and ignored lessons from swing-state candidates focused on costs over identity politics.
Rivera went public alongside his own 564-page review as Democrats head toward November midterms and 2028 planning with a roughly $2 million cash deficit, versus more than $128 million for Republicans.