James Carville’s Insights on Kamala Harris: A Call for a Stronger Candidate in 2028

James Carville’s Insights on Kamala Harris: A Call for a Stronger Candidate in 2028

Veteran Democratic strategist James Carville has openly discussed his miscalculated prediction that former Vice President Kamala Harris would secure victory in the 2024 presidential election.

In the critical weeks of the election, Carville confidently engaged with various media outlets, expressing his belief that Democrats could prevent Donald Trump from regaining the presidency. He went as far as publishing an op-ed in The New York Times titled ‘Three Reasons I’m Certain Kamala Harris Will Win.’

In his reflections, Carville noted the factors that led him to believe in Harris’s success. He cited her financial backing, extensive campaign infrastructure, and a network of influential surrogates, including two former presidents. He contrasted this with Trump’s campaign, highlighting the less influential figures by his side. Carville shared his thoughts in an interview with Fox News Digital, stating, ‘The polls looked even, alright? I thought that Harris had more money. She also had more storefront locations, she had more doorknockers, definitely had better surrogates with two ex-presidents out there. Trump was going around with Scott Baio or something…. And I thought a combination of all of that would be worth a point and a half. It was not.’

Ultimately, Trump won the popular vote by a slender margin, securing the presidency with a total of 312 electoral votes.

The Importance of Having a Compelling Reason to Vote

Carville emphasized a fundamental lesson in politics: the significance of providing voters with a clear reason to cast their ballots. He stated, ‘You relearn the oldest lesson in politics. The greatest motivator of turnout, of voting, of persuasion is a reason. If you don’t have a reason, you can’t [win].’ He acknowledged that voters had a compelling reason to support Trump, which was the desire for change.

Recalling Harris’s now-infamous appearance on ‘The View,’ Carville pointed to a pivotal moment in her campaign. When asked what she would have done differently from President Joe Biden, Harris’s response was telling—’There is not a thing that comes to mind.’

Carville remarked, ‘She completely flubs it.’ He highlighted that a significant portion of the electorate, approximately 70%, was seeking something different. He added, ‘Well, give it to them!… [Say] anything you want other than ‘I can’t think of anything.’ Worse answer ever given. Ever given.’

Speculations for Future Runs

Following her loss to Trump, speculation has arisen regarding Harris’s potential candidacy for the 2028 election. Early polls suggest she could lead a field of possible Democratic challengers, although her name recognition may play a crucial role in her prospects. Additionally, some insiders have mentioned Harris as a strong contender for California’s gubernatorial race in 2026, after the current governor, Gavin Newsom, vacates the position.

When asked whether she should pursue the governorship or a second presidential run, Carville was cautious in his response.

‘I don’t propose that somebody should or shouldn’t run for office,’ Carville explained. However, he emphasized, ‘If she runs for president again, she’s got to be a lot better candidate than she was in 2024. Maybe she is.’

A Reevaluation of Democratic Strategy

Carville remains convinced that Harris might have performed better had Democrats conducted an open primary following Biden’s unexpected exit from the race, which he criticized as a significant misstep. He directed criticism towards figures like CNN commentator Bakari Sellers, who dismissed the suggestion.

Carville’s perspective remained fluid when asked about whether he personally would support Harris in a future run. He remarked, ‘Well, I mean, first of all, I think everybody should run. I have a lot of friends. I would say you should run. You know, the more, the merrier, I think.

‘And look, she’s a former vice president. She’s a former prosecutor in a big city, apparently very good at it. She’s a former state attorney general. So, you know, to the vice president’s impressive resume, I mean, who am I to say? But she certainly passes anything you say about who could run for president. She would have to think about it, but it would be very, very difficult for her to win the nomination, but it would be difficult for anybody else.’

Lessons Learned from a Misjudged Prediction

Carville candidly addressed his earlier belief in Harris’s candidacy, admitting, ‘I was wrong,’ and acknowledging that the prediction was a ‘mistake.’ He encouraged Democrats to accept personal accountability, reminding them that the electorate remains indifferent to individual errors. He stated, ‘The public will never care if you’re wrong. When they’ll turn on you is when you’re boring or predictable. That’s what they don’t like.’

He further urged political figures to engage the public in a compelling manner. ‘If you don’t say something in a colorful way that sticks with people, you know what you’re saying? It’s vapid stuff. And I think the public is just tired of talking points. They’re just worn out.’

Fox News’ Nikolas Lanum contributed to this report.