In the aftermath of a resounding electoral defeat, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris is facing intense criticism within the Democratic Party. Many believe her decision to select Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her vice-presidential running mate was a pivotal error, fueling a blame game as party operatives analyze what went wrong.

The Telegraph writes that with results coming in from critical battlegrounds, Harris appears set to lose all seven swing states that could have determined the outcome of the presidential race. Despite the election’s high stakes, Harris opted not to address the nation on election night, a decision that left Democratic strategists scrambling to address the disappointment and frustration of supporters. Party insiders are now pointing fingers at her campaign’s strategic choices, with Harris’s selection of Walz under particularly heavy scrutiny.

Tim Walz, known for his low-key and progressive leadership as governor of Minnesota, was not the favored choice for many within the Democratic establishment. The other leading contender for the VP slot had been Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, a popular and charismatic figure who has broad appeal among moderates and independent voters. Pennsylvania, a crucial battleground, might have leaned differently with Shapiro on the ticket, say some strategists.

Lindy Li, a prominent Pennsylvania Democratic official, highlighted the disappointment among party supporters, noting that many had hoped Shapiro’s presence would attract more centrist voters and balance Harris’s perceived liberal image. “People are wondering tonight what would have happened had Shapiro been on the ticket,” Li told Fox News. She added that as a moderate, Shapiro “would have signaled to the American people that she is not the San Francisco liberal that Trump said she was.”

Li also suggested that Walz’s association with protests in Minnesota may have contributed to the perception that Harris was leaning too far left. “In the eyes of the American people, Walz was the governor who oversaw the protests,” Li remarked, emphasizing that some voters may have seen Walz’s progressive stance as a continuation of policies they were wary of.

Beyond the VP choice, Harris is being faulted for not clearly defining her policy stance and failing to distinguish herself from President Joe Biden. Biden’s waning approval ratings placed Harris in a difficult position, yet some party insiders feel she missed critical opportunities to set her own course.

During an appearance on *The View*, Harris was asked how she would have approached the last four years differently than Biden. Her response—“There is not a thing that comes to mind”—left some voters questioning her vision and autonomy as a leader, fueling concerns about her ability to step out of Biden’s shadow.

Within the party, reactions are mixed, with some blaming specific demographics and others lamenting the strategic focus of the campaign. MSNBC commentator Joy Reid, for instance, attributed Harris’s defeat in North Carolina to insufficient support from white women voters. “In the end, they didn’t make their numbers,” Reid asserted. “We have to be blunt about why: Black voters came through for Harris, white women voters did not.”

CNN contributor and former Obama advisor Van Jones added another critique, specifically targeting Harris’s strategy of focusing on celebrity-driven rallies. He argued that these high-profile events might have alienated working-class voters. “Working people sometimes have to choose,” he explained. “Am I going to go to the big, cool concert and pay for babysitting for that, or am I going to figure out a way to get to the polls? I don’t like these big star-studded events.”

Symone Sanders, a former Harris advisor turned MSNBC commentator, offered a more pragmatic view, emphasizing the need for the party to learn from the electorate. “We have to listen to what the voters are saying,” she said, calling for Democrats to reconnect with the issues resonating most deeply with the public.

As Democrats reflect on the loss, the question of Harris’s future within the party and the broader direction of Democratic messaging looms large. The post-election fallout highlights a party at odds over its image, priorities, and appeal to moderate and undecided voters.

For Harris, the defeat is a pivotal moment. The Democratic Party’s internal criticisms underscore the challenge of uniting a diverse coalition while addressing the country’s changing political landscape. In the weeks ahead, Harris and her allies will likely face tough decisions about the party’s path forward and her role within it.