Every so often, even the most dogmatic politicians are forced to confront reality, no matter how hard they try to ignore it. That moment seems to have arrived for a group of Senate Democrats who are begrudgingly admitting their party’s colossal failure on border security. This newfound self-awareness has come not through introspection but because voters delivered a slap so sharp it couldn’t be ignored. For years, their handling—or rather mishandling—of the southern border has been a glaring issue, and now, they’re calling it what it is: political malpractice.
These Democrats, who recently huddled in a private Senate meeting, are finally acknowledging that their party’s inability to address border security was a major reason for President-elect Donald Trump’s sweeping victory and the loss of four Senate seats. While such honesty is refreshing, it’s hard not to laugh at how obvious this has been to everyone outside their bubble. For years, Americans have been screaming for action as chaos unfolded at the border, but the Democrats doubled down on policies that alienated even their own constituents. Now, they’re paying the price.
In the posh, wood-paneled Mansfield Room, these Senate Democrats spent what they described as a “long and intensive” lunch dissecting the reasons for their electoral catastrophe. Frankly, they could have saved time. What went wrong? Pretty much everything. What went right? That discussion wouldn’t have filled the time it takes to drink a cup of Senate cafeteria coffee. The Harris campaign alone could be summed up in six minutes of praise, most of it focused on the vice president’s makeup team.
Yet, despite the self-inflicted wounds, the senators managed to showcase their usual detachment from reality. Many argued that President Biden’s so-called “accomplishments” and the supposed strength of the economy should have been enough to carry the day. This level of delusion is staggering. Biden’s primary achievement lately seems to be remaining upright, a feat he’s struggled with on multiple occasions. As for the economy, claiming it’s strong while Americans watch interest rates skyrocket and everyday essentials become luxuries reveals just how disconnected these politicians are.
What truly takes the cake is their assessment of voter sentiment. While they correctly note that rising costs contributed to Trump’s win, they ignore their role in creating those conditions. From energy policies driving up gas prices to inflation hammering household budgets, these senators act as if these crises fell from the sky instead of being the direct result of their leadership. Meanwhile, the border, a humanitarian and security disaster, has been allowed to fester unchecked. Democrats in that meeting didn’t need a “long and intensive” conversation—they needed a mirror.
