Karine Jean-Pierre accuses Democratic leaders of ignoring voters by not endorsing Mamdani

Former White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre declared that Democratic Party leaders made a big mistake by not endorsing New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani during the primaries Jean-Pierre celebrated Mamdani's voting win Wednesday with radio host Dean Obeidallah praising him for inspiring young people to vote in an off-year polling despite going against two big Goliaths in the primary Though she was excited about Mamdani's domination she added that his achievement was more about connecting with voters than party backing or leadership sponsorship She criticized Democratic leaders for sending the wrong message by either hesitating or refusing to help Mamdani during the campaign JEFFRIES SAYS 'NO' WHEN APPEALED IF MAMDANI IS FUTURE OF DEMOCRATIC PARTY DESPITE ENDORSEMENT I mean he was the nominee the Democratic nominee for the mayor's race and they're basically saying 'no voters are wrong We don't want him ' Jean-Pierre mentioned And that is a challenge You're sending the wrong message to young people in particular who we need to engage in this moment She continued And I thought it was a mistake I think it was a big mistake that leadership didn't get behind him I thought it was a big mistake that they turned their backs on him because he did it the right way And there's something to be learned by the way he campaigned Jean-Pierre added that Democrats need to learn how to punch hard as an opposition party and urged them not to ignore any demographic because of polling HARRIS OFFERS TIMID ENDORSEMENT OF MAMDANI FAST PIVOTS TO OTHER 'STAR' DEMOCRATS This is a big tent party and you can't throw people under the bus Jean-Pierre stated You know you can't throw queer people LGBTQ people under the bus You can't throw the Muslim population under the bus You can't throw immigrants and displaced persons under the bus because whatever you believe poll tests well And that's what I was seeing in this year There are people who are afraid and scared We're supposed to be there for everybody And so I hope this outcome looking across the board the diversity of this party and the people sending a very loud message Though she did not name specific leaders several key Democratic figures hesitated to assistance Mamdani even after he became the party's nominee MAMDANI SAYS 'DAYS OF ENDORSEMENTS DECIDING ELECTIONS' ARE OVER AS DEMOCRATIC ESTABLISHMENT HESITATESNew York Gov Kathy Hochul did not formally endorse Mamdani until September almost three months after Mamdani defeated former New York Gov Andrew Cuomo in the primary race House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries D-N Y did not endorse Mamdani until Oct less than two weeks before the referendum Despite his endorsement he has hesitated to refer to Mamdani as the future of the party Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer D-N Y never endorsed Mamdani However Mamdani revealed help in progressive figures including Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez D-N Y Sen Bernie Sanders I-Vt and former President Barack Obama