'Squad' member says Dems cannot 'fall to elitism and laziness' after Harris loss

Outgoing Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., declared the Democratic Party cannot "fall to elitism and laziness" in the wake of the results of the presidential election Wednesday.

Rep. Bowman, a member of the progressive congressional "Squad," was a vocal supporter of Vice President Kamala Harris during her campaign. The congressman in July was among the earliest Democratic lawmakers to endorse Harris after President Joe Biden exited the race, calling her the "best choice to lead us forward."

While reacting to the vice president's loss Wednesday, Rep. Bowman urged the Democratic Party to "engage in some serious soul-searching." He explained the party needs to evaluate why many Americans are not "aligned" with it.

"New voices and leadership are desperately needed along with deep listening and learning across different groups," Rep. Bowman said. "Democrats cannot fall to elitism or laziness, and we must not simply concede issues to a so-called 'moderate' middle."

The congressman, who lost his Democratic primary race in June, went on to note which strategies taken by the Republican Party he feels contributed to President-elect Donald Trump's victory.

They take an issue, no matter the initial popularity of their position, pounce, and leverage every communication stream they have to talk to and activate their base. Democrats simply do not do this," he said.

Rep. Bowman advised Democrats to begin placing "kitchen table issues" at the forefront of their efforts, asserting the party "must speak to everyday Americans' needs and aspirations."

The Democratic Party received a from Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., on Wednesday. The senator, who is a registered Independent butcaucuses with Democrats, called it unsurprising that a party which "abandoned working class people" lost the presidential race.

"First it was the white working class, and now it is Latino and Black workers as well," he said." While the Democratic leadership defends the status quo, the American people are angry and want change. And they're right."

Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., also Democrats to begin "soul-searching" Wednesday, saying the party is "getting the message from a lot of people that we're not hearing them."

In her concession speech Wednesday, Harris urged her supporters to continue "fighting."

"This is not a time to throw up our hands. This is a time to roll up our sleeves," the vice president declared.