Anita Dunn Blames Democrats and the Press for Forcing Biden Out of 2024 Race

Anita Dunn, a former senior adviser to President Joe Biden, has unleashed a wave of criticism directed at fellow Democrats and the media, accusing them of driving Biden out of the 2024 presidential race. In a series of interviews and public statements, Dunn argued that while Biden's June 27 debate performance was less than stellar, it was the relentless attacks from within his own party and the press that ultimately forced him to withdraw and endorse Vice President Kamala Harris.

Dunn contends that the debate, which many saw as a critical moment in Biden’s campaign, was not the catastrophic event that others have made it out to be. She believes that voters' dissatisfaction with former President Donald Trump would have been enough to help Biden survive the post-debate fallout. However, according to Dunn, the unremitting negative coverage and harsh criticism from Democratic leaders created an insurmountable obstacle for the President.

Wild to see folks like Anita Dunn still arguing Biden shouldn’t have stepped aside.

Yeah, Dems are different from the GOP. We reacted rationally, rather than doubling down on a cult of personality. Now we’re in a position to win. That should be celebrated, not denigrated! pic.twitter.com/RNaXt8IPmI

— Aaron Regunberg (@AaronRegunberg) August 9, 2024

The pressure from within the party, particularly from influential figures like House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, played a significant role in Biden's decision to step down. Dunn claims that these leaders, along with major donors, ignored the voices of primary voters who had supported Biden, effectively disenfranchising them. This move, she argues, was driven by a desire to bolster Harris’s campaign and avoid further scrutiny of Biden's age and mental acuity​.

Despite the narrative pushed by some that the early debate was a deliberate attempt to expose Biden’s vulnerabilities, Dunn dismisses these claims as "ludicrous." She insists that the strategy behind the debate timing was aimed at putting Trump on the defensive early in the election cycle, rather than undermining Biden.

This type of denialism from Anita Dunn is why Biden was losing in the first place https://t.co/XhdOINeNYW pic.twitter.com/qvS5fdWR1C

— Nick Field (@nick_field90) August 9, 2024

Nevertheless, the aftermath of the debate saw a significant dip in Biden's polling numbers, though Dunn maintains that this was more of a temporary setback rather than a sign of imminent collapse​.

Dunn also pointed out that the Democratic Party's decision to pressure Biden out of the race contradicted its own principles of championing voting rights. She criticized the party for overriding the will of millions of primary voters who had backed Biden, labeling the move as undemocratic and driven by elite interests. Despite her defense of Biden's campaign, Dunn now plays a crucial role in the Harris campaign, as she recently transitioned to leading the Future Forward PAC, which is dedicated to ensuring Harris’s victory in November​.

The fallout from Biden's withdrawal has been mixed. On one hand, Harris's campaign has seen a surge in enthusiasm, with increased fundraising and volunteer efforts. On the other hand, Dunn's revelations have exposed deep rifts within the Democratic Party, highlighting the intense behind-the-scenes maneuvering that led to Biden's exit​.

As the 2024 election approaches, the implications of Biden's departure continue to unfold, with many questioning whether the party's gamble on Harris will pay off or if it will deepen the divisions already apparent within the Democratic ranks.