Following Vice President Kamala Harris's 2024 election defeat, key campaign figures are offering their perspectives on what went wrong. David Plouffe, a senior adviser to the Harris campaign, highlighted the Democratic Party's decision to forgo a primary as a critical misstep in an interview with The Atlantic. He argued that a primary contest would have allowed candidates to refine their platforms and strengthen their general election preparedness. Plouffe described the campaign's position after President Biden's withdrawal from the race as "gruesome," citing concerning internal polling data across various demographics and regions.

Other campaign aides have attributed the loss to the limited time frame following Biden's exit and what they perceive as unfavorable media treatment of Harris. This sentiment echoes earlier complaints about media coverage during the campaign, with some aides suggesting that the narrative surrounding Harris's media engagement was unfairly critical.

Plouffe painted a bleak picture of the campaign's internal data after Biden's withdrawal, revealing significant challenges across key demographics and regions. This "rescue mission," as he termed it, faced an uphill battle from the start.

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's pre-election assertions that the primary process was open and that Harris had effectively "won" it stand in contrast to her post-election remarks. Pelosi later suggested that Biden should have withdrawn earlier to allow for a proper primary contest.

The Harris campaign's post-election appearance on "Pod Save America" drew criticism for a perceived lack of accountability. Campaign chair Jen O'Malley Dillon, for instance, contested the notion that Harris avoided interviews, arguing that the campaign's approach to media engagement was misconstrued.

Following Biden's endorsement of Harris after his withdrawal on July 21st, Harris's first interview didn't take place until 39 days later. Quentin Fulks, the principal deputy campaign manager, explained to The Atlantic that the campaign prioritized getting Harris into key battleground states, which had not been her primary focus as vice president. This strategic decision contributed to the delayed media engagement during the crucial initial phase of the campaign.