Carville’s Take on Democratic Unpopularity
James Carville, a veteran Democratic strategist, shared his views on Monday regarding the current unpopularity of the Democratic Party. During an appearance on MS NOW with host Ari Melber, he pointed out a recent CNN/SSRS poll indicating that just 28% of Americans view the Democratic Party favorably, compared to 32% for Republicans. Melber asked Carville whether this was concerning as Democrats aim to reclaim control in the upcoming elections.
“No,” Carville responded, explaining that the main reason for the party’s unpopularity is quite simple: “We lost. When you win, everything seems to change. People associate with a party that they believe will succeed in elections. Since we lost recently, it’s natural for people to not like us. I don’t like us either.” He emphasized that ultimately, winning elections is crucial for any political party, and he could rekindle his affection for the Democrats if they begin winning again.
Carville noted it’s expected for people to be critical of Democrats, and rightly so. The path to improving perception isn’t through complicated plans that are unlikely to be fulfilled before 2028 but through actual victories. He mentioned that doing nothing might even improve the party’s image by 7% to 10%, and securing some strong presidential candidates could enhance it further.
The same CNN poll revealed that 48% of voters expressed support for Democrats in the upcoming midterms, while 42% favored Republicans.
Despite the difficulties, Carville mentioned that Democrats did secure several wins in the previous year, including gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey.
He also openly criticized former President Trump in recent comments, urging him to tone down his rhetoric leading up to the midterms. Carville remarked, “I had thought you’d be gone by April Fool’s Day 2027. I’m starting to worry.” He invited Trump to be mindful of public perception, adding, “They hate you. Everyone hates you.”
In conclusion, as Carville sees it, the way to reconstruct the party’s image and approval ratings is straightforward: just win, and the rest will follow.
