Episode description

Democrats, devastated by their sweeping losses in the election, are starting to sift through the wreckage of their defeat.

Political leaders from all corners of the Democratic coalition are pointing fingers, arguing over the party’s direction and wrestling with what it stands for.

Reid J. Epstein, who covers politics for The Times, discusses the reckoning inside the Democratic Party, and where it goes from here.

Guest: Reid J. Epstein, a reporter covering politics for The New York Times.

Background reading: 

• In interviews, lawmakers and strategists tried to explain Kamala Harris’s defeat, pointing to misinformation, the Gaza war, a toxic Democratic brand and the party’s approach to transgender issues.
• Nancy Pelosi, the influential former House speaker, lamented Biden’s late exit and the lack of an “open primary.”

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

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