James Carville urges Democrats to win elections effectively

James Carville, a veteran political strategist, criticized the current state of the Democratic Party during an appearance on NewsNation. He expressed disappointment as some senators voted with Republicans to avoid a government shutdown. Carville emphasized that political parties exist to win elections. He believes that when they fail to win, people's trust diminishes. Carville argued that the Democratic Party should represent working people, contrasting them with Republicans who, he said, serve the wealthy. He pointed out that the current leadership has not produced election victories. He specifically challenged progressive members of the party, saying they need to demonstrate their ability to win against Republicans before claiming they represent the party's future. Senate Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has faced criticism for supporting a Republican spending bill. Despite the backlash, Schumer maintains that the party is headed in the right direction. He insists that Democrats are the party of working people. Some Democratic senators, like Chris Murphy, have called for more internal discussion on how to effectively confront Republicans. As the party grapples with its identity, Rep. Suzan DelBene expressed confidence that House Democrats could regain a majority in the upcoming 2026 midterms. However, current polling shows only 27 percent of voters view the Democratic Party favorably, marking the party's lowest rating in over three decades.