‘I Am Naming Names’: DNC Chair Says He’s Going Scorched Earth on Party When Term Ends

Outgoing Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chair Jaime Harrison defended the use of identity politics in his party’s approach Thursday, pushing back against critics who argue Democrats should abandon race-based strategies.

Harrison, whose term ends Feb. 1, cited his experience as a black man while arguing in an Arizona DNC speech that minorities must see the Democratic Party as their own and “cannot be the excuse for why we win or lose,” according to The Associated Press (AP).

“When I wake up in the morning, when I look in the mirror, when I step out the door, I can’t rub this off,” he said, gesturing to his face. “This is who I am. This is how the world perceives me.”

Jaime Harrison discusses being the new DNC chair and the future of the Democratic Party: "We are going to be extremely aggressive, investing in every state to make sure that in 2022 Joe Biden has a majority that he can grow." pic.twitter.com/aj0XbEh7WF

— MSNBC (@MSNBC) January 22, 2021

“That is my identity,” Harrison continued. “And it is not politics. It is my life. And the people that I need in the party, that I need to stand up for me, have to recognize that. You cannot run away from that.”

The chairman suggested he has unresolved internal party grievances, hinting that “the muzzle comes off” after his replacement is elected. He announced he has no plans to endorse his successor and is writing a book to detail his experiences during his four-year tenure, the outlet reported. (Read more from “‘I Am Naming Names’: DNC Chair Says He’s Going Scorched Earth on Party When Term Ends” HERE)

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