In a scene reminiscent of a pivotal moment from Election Night 2016, Vice President Kamala Harris pulled a move that had shades of Hillary Clinton, leaving her supporters hanging in a deflated state. Democratic circles have felt a sense of déjà vu, as disheartened crowds were sent home after an evening that ended without a decisive victory speech. According to an MSNBC commentator, the decision seemed like an attempt to “preserve emotional energy.”
The parallels to Clinton’s 2016 concession night were hard to ignore. Back then, when a sweeping victory for Donald Trump became clear, Hillary Clinton was nowhere to be found, opting instead to have her campaign chair inform her increasingly disbanding crowd that there was no speech that night. Fast forward to now, and Kamala Harris made a similar decision, dispatching one of her campaign co-chairs to deliver the disappointing news to her hopeful supporters.
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A Nod to Past Elections
Fox News host Dana Perino weighed in, comparing the Harris team’s reluctance to concede to past Democratic candidates’ behavior. She referenced the 2004 showdown between John Kerry and George W. Bush, where Kerry delayed his concession, leaving Bush supporters waiting. “You work so hard, and I understand the disappointment, but you should concede and let your opponent have their election night,” said Perino. She highlighted how delays rob the moment of finality, adding, “I don’t think it’s right.”
Meanwhile, the anticipation at Howard University, where Harris supporters gathered, turned into a slow, somber exodus. Even before Pennsylvania was officially called for Trump, Democratic National Committee senior advisers took to the stage to deliver the sobering news. “We still have votes to count. We still have states that have not yet been called. We will continue overnight to ensure that every vote is counted and every voice is heard,” he said, as visibly disappointed attendees began to drift away.
Fox News Reaction and Speculation
Over at Fox News, anchor Bret Baier speculated about the possibility of a late-night concession. “If there’s a call,” he remarked, “they have to make it public.” Dana Perino suggested it would be wise for Harris to speak that night if the call came through. “If I were her, I would do it tonight,” she said, underscoring the importance of addressing the situation head-on.
A Somber Atmosphere at Howard University
The mood at Howard University turned “increasingly bleak,” according to Michelle Norris, a Senior Contributing Editor who described the scene for MSNBC. Even Rachel Maddow tried to put a positive spin on the turn of events but admitted the night was not unfolding as Harris supporters had hoped. “The Harris campaign seems to be holding a tight lid on things, not wanting to give false hope,” Maddow noted.
The sense of disappointment hung heavy in the air, as even the logistics of keeping Howard University ready for another day seemed increasingly improbable. The mood had shifted from one of hopeful anticipation to the stark realization that their candidate’s path forward had hit a significant roadblock.
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Emotional Rollercoaster for Harris Allies
Many Harris allies were left to grapple with a wave of emotions, from initial optimism to disillusionment as videos circulated online showing despondent supporters leaving the venue. The night’s events left a lingering question: Did the Harris campaign mishandle the moment by holding out too long? Critics argue that leaving supporters in limbo only dampens the momentum further.
The Harris campaign’s decision not to address the crowd seemed emblematic of the Democrats’ broader struggle: balancing hope with political reality. While the fight to count every vote remains crucial, some wonder if the optics of delay and indecision may ultimately hurt the party’s morale and messaging.
Conclusion
As election results unfold, the night’s events will serve as a reminder of the high-stakes emotional investment from both sides. Whether Kamala Harris can recover from this moment and rally her base remains to be seen. In the meantime, the comparisons to Clinton’s 2016 defeat and the echoes of past Democratic stumbles will likely fuel ongoing debates about the best way to handle political setbacks.
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She’s done. And after all the clammering against President Trump for not conceding in 2020, Kamala can’t concede either (and neither did Hillary). People do not forget these things.