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The Democratic Party faced harsh criticism from veteran journalist Joe Klein, who declared that the party’s latest Democratic National Committee meeting demonstrated its “intellectual corrosion is comprehensive.”

Writing in his “Sanity Clause” Substack publication, Klein highlighted the DNC’s complicated gender rules from their recent meeting as evidence of what he views as unprecedented damage to the party.

“Yes, friends, still crazy after all these years…and the encroaching dementia is not benign. Can this party be saved? I have my doubts,” Klein wrote after examining multiple reports detailing the intricate gender-related protocols established during the gathering.

Klein referenced The Atlantic staff writer Jonathan Chait’s coverage of the event. According to Chait’s article, titled “The Democrats Show Why They Lost,” the meeting featured DNC chair Jaime Harrison struggling to explain their vice-chair race gender balance requirements. “The rules specify that when we have a gender-nonbinary candidate or officer, the nonbinary individual is counted as neither male nor female, and the remaining six officers must be gender balanced,” Harrison announced.

The veteran journalist, known for his work at Time magazine and as the anonymous author of “Primary Colors,” also cited Wall Street Journal reporter Molly Ball’s account. Ball described how an attendee protested the limited representation for transgender individuals, demanding additional seats and greater diversity considerations within the transgender community.

Klein expressed his grave concerns about the party’s direction, stating, “The intellectual corrosion is comprehensive; it is only matched by the self-righteous arrogance. But what’s the alternative?” He added, “I’ve been through Dems in Disarray syndrome multiple times in the past: in 1972, in 1980, in 1988, in 2016…but, gotta say, this is the worst I’ve ever seen it.”

The journalist blamed the Democratic Party’s current state for facilitating Donald Trump’s political ascendancy. “The Democrats have twice now enabled a World-Historic Demagogue to be elected President of the United States. One wonders if Trump’s reelection will stand with Julius Caesar crossing the Rubicon,” Klein noted, while criticizing Biden’s alignment with Bernie Sanders’ progressive agenda and its implementation throughout government agencies.

Drawing from The Free Press writer Ruy Teixeira’s recommendations, Klein outlined potential solutions for the party’s reform, including avoiding labeling Trump as a “fascist,” taking a more moderate stance on immigration, and supporting Trump when warranted.

Klein advocated for external pressure on the Democratic Party, similar to the Democratic Leadership Conference’s influence in the early 1990s. He emphasized the need for substantial financial backing and political courage to drive meaningful change, though he concluded pessimistically, saying, “But, yeah, I’m dreaming….”