"We're losing our damn minds": James Carville unloads on the Democratic Party

[Vinnie From Indy]

In a rant on MSNBC that went viral on Tuesday evening, the longtime Democratic strategist vented his concerns about the party’s prospects for beating Donald Trump, taking particular aim at the party’s leftward lurch.

“Eighteen percent of the population controls 52 senate seats,” Carville said. “We’ve got to be a majoritarian party. The urban core is not gonna get it done. What we need is power! Do you understand? That’s what this is about.”

His diatribe took place against the backdrop of an Iowa caucus that had fallen into chaos and amid a rancorous ongoing debate among Democrats over the party’s direction. He took particular aim at Sen. Bernie Sanders, whom he fears could lead the party to defeat in November.

Carville’s lament distills a concern among the Democratic Party’s establishment: Will ideological purity and playing to the base cost the Democrats victory in November? For Carville at least, “We have one moral imperative and that’s to beat Donald Trump.” That his comments went viral speaks to the sense of urgency among Democrats, even as it only fuels the debate over the direction of the party

https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2020/2/7/21123518/trump-2020-election-democratic-party-james-carville

[gab13by13]

1. I'd like to see Carville define,

"leftward lurch," one issue at a time. The country moved far right.

[lagomorph777]

12. Carville's concern is noted. He helped Clinton & DLC move the party to the right.

We are correcting his error.

[YOHABLO]

16. He does a ''leftward lurch'' getting away from his own wife. So what's he talking about?

[Watchfoxheadexplodes]

2. In Carville I trust

Perfect

[doc03]

3. He is right a socialist agenda will give Trump the

biggest landslide in history. Instead of running against Trump They are fighting each other over ridiculous promissies that can never be passed. This is same stuff that got Trump elected. in 2016.

[Dream Girl]

4. He is right

[earthside]

5. Carville overstates the 'socialist' problem ...

... in my opinion.

But I have to say that I am perplexed at the confusion in the Democratic Party.

On the one hand a cadre of near 80 years old candidates ... and one 'hot' alternative a 38 year old mayor of a little city in ruby red Indiana?

I think Carville is identifying the problem, but I don't see any paths to getting Democrats the best nominee at this point.

[doc03]

7. We are between a rock and a hard place. We really need

a young Joe Biden. We had some good ones that couldn't get traction. Because of this stupid primary process the far left sucks the air out of any viable candidate.

[earthside]

10. NYT had it right, I think.

Warren (on the high of age for me, but acceptable under the circumstances) and Klobuchar are the most viable candidates.

If Klobuchar had a 'big' idea that she could use as theme for what she wants to get done as president, then I think she would be doing better. Still I am thinking more and more that she may be the most viable in a general election.

Wanting to beat Trump and wanting ideological 'purity' are conflicting with each other ... and they shouldn't.
The perfect shouldn't be the enemy of the good in this nomination contest, but I think we are already running out of time.
The Bloomberg billionaire problem is going to screw over Democrats, I'm afraid.

[Skittles]

21. I absolutely agree, earthside

yes indeed

[earthside]

22. Monday morning before the New Hampshire primary ...

... and I am more convinced that Amy Klobuchar offers the most positive path forward.

[Kurt V.]

6. i don't this is an accurate reading of whats going on. the party isn't moving left but

giving space to the ideals of progressives.

[Magoo48]

8. Leftward lurch my bongos, It's time for another large step left. Carville is a performer, an actor.

[redstatebluegirl]

9. He is right.

[BigmanPigman]

11. Ditto!

[FiveGoodMen]

13. ...if we listen to James, we are!

[jcmaine72]

14. Oooohhhh....scary Socialists and lefties!!!

Don't worry, Jimmy. America has a bright future, and it's one that will closely resemble California's progressive present. The changing demographics of our nation make that a fait accompli. There will more of everything for everyone. Yes, that's a Socialist concept. How awful!

However, there is one thing our nation will have fewer of in the future: Frightened old white men who feel nothing but dread for our nation's transformative present and its progressive future.

Time to retire, Jimmy.

[Skittles]

15. I absolutely agree

I cannot believe who we have running for president.

[YOHABLO]

17. So the Democratic Party must become the ''Republican Lite" Party in order to beat Trump.

[FiveGoodMen]

20. That's what everyone's been sold on for decades now.

Started during Reagan; only got worse.

[peoli]

18. James Carville influences ZERO voters

[Scruffy1]

19. So no one even asked him the obvious question.

Why do you want power if your only goal is to keep things like they are?