James Carville’s Reality Check for Harris Supporters: ‘This Is Too Triumphalist’
By Jake Beardslee ·
July 26, 2024
In the wake of President Biden's unexpected withdrawal from the presidential race and Vice President Kamala Harris's rapid ascension as the presumptive Democratic nominee, campaign strategist James Carville has issued a stark warning to his fellow Democrats. JD Lasica from Pleasanton, CA, US / The White House / Wikimedia
While many in the party are riding high on a wave of optimism, Carville, known for his pivotal role in Bill Clinton's 1992 election victory, cautions against premature celebration. Speaking on MSNBC's The Beat, he likened himself to "the skunk at the garden party," tempering the jubilant mood with a dose of realism. Michael Blackshire/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK
"I have to be the skunk at the garden party. This is too triumphalist, OK?" Carville stated. He continued, "Everybody's giddy. I look at the coverage and it's great. If I had to write a play about what I think, it'd be entitled, 'The Icepick Cometh,' OK? Get ready, they're coming. All right? And it's good. Everybody should feel good and liberated and everything else. But if we don't win the election, we haven't done anything." Michael Blackshire/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK
Carville emphasized that while the current mood might be different, the political landscape remains challenging. He urged Democrats to prepare for a tough fight, comparing the upcoming campaign to facing a formidable opponent in sports. Ricardo B. Brazziell/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK
"It's still the same country. All right? It might be a different mood, and all I'm saying is good. Bang your helmets against the locker, it's fine," he explained. "But still, when you go out there, you're facing Alabama. Just get ready because these Republicans, you're right, they got caught off guard, but they're going to get their sea legs and we're having to get a campaign, a whole campaign started." Michael Blackshire/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK
The strategist also appeared on The Don Lemon Show, where he reiterated his cautionary stance. While acknowledging Harris's current strong performance, he warned that the campaign's peak might already be behind them. Ricardo B. Brazziell/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK
"This is the best day that she's going to have for the rest of the campaign, they're coming," Carville predicted. "They were hit real bad, they were confused, but they're getting un-confused now and Democrats have got to get ready." Ricardo B. Brazziell/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK
As the Democratic Party adjusts to its new presumptive nominee, Carville's words serve as a sobering reminder that the road to the White House remains long and fraught with challenges. His message is clear: enthusiasm is good, but victory is far from assured. GABY VELASQUEZ/ EL PASO TIMES / USA TODAY NETWORK
