WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange publicly criticized the Democratic Party on Sunday, asserting that its leadership is driving the party toward failure by prioritizing centrism. He outlined his views in a post on TwitLonger.
Assange’s Critique
Assange contends that the Democratic establishment has focused excessively on what he describes as “hysteria about Russia,” a nation with a GDP lower than that of South Korea. He suggests this focus has prevented the rise of more progressive voices, such as those associated with Bernie Sanders, within the party. According to Assange, without the narrative of Russian interference, the party’s leadership would face internal challenges for what he terms “electoral incompetence and ideological passé.”
Assange’s analysis points to a broader trend of Democratic losses, including all four congressional special elections held since January. Reports indicate that low Democratic turnout contributed to these outcomes, with one analysis noting that Republican turnout was also low.
Questions of Transparency
Assange questioned whether it is problematic that the public learned of statements made by Hillary Clinton to Goldman Sachs and discussions among party elites regarding the Democratic National Committee primaries. He argued that a party leadership that views public awareness of its actions as a “crime of the century” risks alienating its base.
While acknowledging WikiLeaks’ potential role in the election outcome through the release of hacked Democratic Party emails, Assange maintains that the questions he raises are valid. He concluded by calling for the formation of a new political party, arguing that the current Democratic leadership is unlikely to relinquish power.
A possible next step could involve increased internal debate within the Democratic Party regarding its strategic direction and messaging. Alternatively, the party could maintain its current course, potentially leading to further losses in future elections. It is also possible that a new political party could emerge, though its success would depend on attracting sufficient support from disaffected voters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Assange say about the Russia narrative?
Assange wrote that the Democratic establishment has focused too much on “hysteria about Russia,” which he believes has overshadowed other potential narratives and prevented the rise of more progressive voices within the party.
What losses did Assange cite?
Assange pointed to the loss of roughly 1,000 legislative seats over the past nine years, as well as the Democratic Party’s failure to win any of the four congressional special elections since January.
What did Assange suggest as a solution?
Assange called for the formation of a new party, arguing that the Democratic base should move to start one since the current party elite shows no signs of giving up power.
Given these criticisms, how might the Democratic Party respond to calls for a reassessment of its core strategies and messaging?
