James Carville, a prominent figure in the Democratic Party, has made it clear that he believes socialists should play no role in the party. This is significant coming from someone who was instrumental in Bill Clinton’s presidency and has been a guiding force for the Democrats for decades with his famous phrase, “It’s the economy, stupid.”
This summer, Carville expressed concerns over the ascendance of democratic socialists in primaries, labeling the far-left as “part of the problem” and even suggesting he might distance himself from the party. He has described the Democratic Party as a “cracked-out clown car” and encouraged socialists to create their own political organization instead of taking over the Democrats.
When someone like Carville sounds the alarm, it’s worth listening. The stark truth many on the left refuse to acknowledge is that the Democratic Party of ten years ago would be denounced as a MAGA hate group by today’s Democrats. There’s a good chance the Southern Poverty Law Center would categorize the Democrats of the past as Nazis or fascists.
Consider their own past decisions. In 2006, then-Senator Hillary Clinton and others, including Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and Chuck Schumer, supported the Secure Fence Act, which authorized a 700-mile barrier along the southern border. Even more recently, Clinton stated in 2014 that unaccompanied minors crossing the border illegally should be sent back, emphasizing the need for clear messaging. Bill Clinton, in 1995, famously noted America’s concern over illegal immigration, earning applause in Congress.
If one were to bring up any of these views at a Democratic debate today, they might be met with fierce backlash. Positions that were once commonplace for Democrats now seem to be viewed as extreme by the current party. It doesn’t appear that the Republicans have shifted significantly; they maintain their stances on border security and law enforcement. Admittedly, Republicans also struggle with government spending, much like their Democratic counterparts.
What we’re witnessing is a noticeable shift as the opposing side appears to be veering drastically in an unexpected direction.
Using the term “psychosis” to describe this situation might seem extreme, but it feels accurate when considering a political faction that cannot even define what a woman is. This is the same group that interprets open drug markets as the symptom of the crime problem, rather than enforcement. It raises the question of how a party can lose touch so completely with reality, especially when it begins to purge longstanding Democrats simply for agreeing with more moderate positions.
It seems clear now that this has evolved beyond mere policy disagreements.
The disconnect between this ideology and the everyday life experienced by most people has grown wide, and it’s gaining ground within the Democratic Party itself. Candidates endorsed by New York’s socialist mayor captured House primaries in traditionally blue districts, prompting Carville to observe that these individuals aren’t truly Democrats, but rather something distinct, donning the Democratic label as a façade.
The real victims of this shift are average Americans, like the electrician in North Charleston or long-time Democratic voters who are growing increasingly uneasy about rising crime and changing social norms. No one consulted them about defunding the police or about the latest debates in education. Their party, it seems, has left them behind.
I find myself disagreeing with Carville on many issues, which is precisely why I take his warning seriously.
When political adversaries begin to identify your points as the last bastion of reason within their ranks, it suggests a significant deviation from common sense, positioning you not as the radical, but as a measure for others to gauge their own distance from rationality.
So, to any Democrats feeling lost in their political journey: you don’t have to align perfectly with Republicans, just as Reagan Democrats didn’t. You simply need to embrace reality — a genuine understanding of laws, secure borders, safe streets, fair sports for girls, and a dollar that holds its value. These were once core tenets of your party, not radical ideas.
Meanwhile, the left can continue to struggle internally. Here in South Carolina, we remain grounded, steadfast in our beliefs.
If you’re willing, come join us. The waters are welcoming, and you won’t have to apologize for being sensible or, dare I say, normal.
