Democratic strategist James Carville has issued a stern warning to his party about the challenges Vice President Kamala Harris will face in her presidential bid. Carville's comments come as Democrats celebrate Harris's presumptive nomination following President Joe Biden's withdrawal from the race.
Carville, known for his blunt assessments, compared the current enthusiasm to a "giddy honeymoon" that won't last. He cautioned Democrats to temper their excitement, predicting that Harris's campaign will soon face severe attacks from Republicans. "I have to be the skunk at the garden party. This is too triumphalist. Everybody’s giddy. I look at the coverage and it’s great. But if we don’t win the election, we haven’t done anything. This kind of giddy elation is not going to be very helpful much longer ’cause that’s not what we’re going to be faced with," Carville stated.
James Carville gives a reality check to 'giddy' Democrats in the Honeymoon period with Kamala Harris:
"I got to be the curmudgeon, I have to be the skunk at the garden party. This is too triumphalist. Everybody's giddy, I look at the coverage.
If I had to write a play about what… pic.twitter.com/2t7GX6CXvm— Eric Abbenante (@EricAbbenante) July 26, 2024
During his appearance on MSNBC, Carville also emphasized that Harris needs to be prepared for a tough fight. "I think the Vice President, to put it in athletic terms, needs a really good cutman in the corner, because she’s getting ready to get cut," he continued.
"It’s still the same country. It might be a different mood, and all I’m saying is good. Bang your helmets against the locker, it’s fine. 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.
James Carville warns VP Harris is ‘gonna get slaughtered’ by the GOP, needs to prepare: ‘I’m not cocky’ https://t.co/KfKb3dyoTd pic.twitter.com/1A7QBihfkC
— New York Post (@nypost) July 31, 2024
Carville was blunt about the opposition Harris will face, stating, "This is the best day that she’s going to have for the rest of the campaign. They’re coming. They were hit real bad, they were confused, but they’re getting un-confused now and Democrats have got to get ready."
His remarks highlight the tough road ahead for Harris, emphasizing the need for Democrats to stay vigilant and prepared.
The strategist also criticized efforts to sanitize Harris's record, noting that Republicans will focus heavily on her tenure as California's attorney general and her time as vice president. "There is a massive effort to cover up her radical left-wing record," he asserted, warning that the current surge of fundraising and enthusiasm for Harris might not last.
Carville's candid remarks serve as a wake-up call for Democrats, reminding them that the real battle lies ahead and urging them to be ready for the onslaught of attacks that are likely to come their way.
