David Axelrod cites ‘racial bias, sexism’ after Kamala Harris loss: ‘Let’s be absolutely blunt’

CNN contributor and erstwhile Obama advisor David Axelrod told analysts to stay “clear-eyed” astir “racism” and “sexism” arsenic a logic for Vice President Kamala Harris’s conclusion to erstwhile President Donald Trump successful nan statesmanlike election.

Trump was declared nan victor by astir outlets complete Harris early Wednesday, after a historical governmental comeback that will spot him return to nan Oval agency successful January.

In nan post-election nighttime analysis, Axelrod was hesitant to blasted Harris’ nonaccomplishment wholly connected prejudice but said that anyone who doesn’t deliberation “racial bias” aliases “sexism” impacted nan result was “wrong.”

CNN’s David Axelrod called retired “racism” and “sexism” arsenic portion of nan logic why Vice President Harris mislaid nan statesmanlike race. CNN

“There were appeals to racism successful this campaign, and location is group bias successful this state and location is sexism successful this country, and anybody who thinks that that did not successful immoderate measurement effect connected nan result of this title is wrong,” Axelrod said.

“I americium not saying that was nan main logic that Kamala Harris mislaid and Donald Trump won,” he said, noting that nan Trump “ran, honestly, strategically,” and a “very smart campaign.”

“It was yet a rational, well-conceived and well-executed run for an often irrational candidate, and they overcame him to waste his connection aliases nan connection that they thought he should beryllium trading to nan country,” Axelrod said.

“But let‘s not confuse what this was and wasn‘t,” he added. “Let‘s beryllium very clear-eyed astir it.”

Co-panalest Van Jones echoed Axelrod’s frustration, explaining that location were limitations for candidates of color.

Van Jones (center right) agreed pinch Axelrod (left) astir nan bias facing Harris during nan statesmanlike contest. CNN

“There is simply a licence that [Trump] had to conscionable beryllium a fool, conscionable to beryllium an obnoxious ass to everyone,” Jones continued, saying that for candidates lacking “that phenotype,” specified behaviour is unthinkable.

Jones suggested that contempt Harris’ qualifications arsenic a prosecutor, legislator and vice president, her conclusion reflects society’s bias.

“She is not Oprah or Beyoncé,” he concluded.