Monday, February 24, 2020

James Carville: Sanders can't win by "expanding the electorate"

I've been laboring for nigh on 24 hours trying to think of something clever and original to say about Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT - Don't forget the "I" part) hyuge win in the Nevada Democratic caucuses. Something about the Dumbocrats drinking the socialist Koolaid, or lemmings stampeding towards the cliff... something like that... but alas, I'm dry. [Please keep your personal life to yourself. Ed.]

I am therefore tossing the ball to James Carville, a media personality with considerable expertise and experience in American elections. A prominent political consultant who specializes in developing framing and strategy for electoral campaigns, Mr Carville has consulted for candidates for public office in the Excited States of America and 23 foreign countries. (Funny that no foreigners have complained about US interference in their elections!)

Mr Carville, aka "the Ragin' Cajun", gained national attention for his work as the lead strategist of the successful presidential campaign of Slick Willy Clinton. He's worked for the Clinton News Network off and on from 2002 until parting company with them in 2013. The following year, he joined Fox News as a contributor. Here's his reaction to the Sanders steamroller.

Note from Ed.: There was supposed to be a short video here, with Mr Carville's comments on MSNBC. For some reason I can't get it to embed, so I can only refer you to the link on Real Clear Politics; click right here!

In case you couldn't see it, here are two key quotes.

"The entire theory [put forward by Mr Sanders and his supporters "that by expanding the electorate, increasing turnout so you can win an election, is similar to climate denial. When people say that, they're as stupid to a political scientist as a climate denier is to an atmospheric scientist."

"If you want to vote for Bernie Sanders because you feel good about his program, you don't like the banks on Wall Street or you don't like pharmaceuticals, that's legitimate, I understand that. If you're voting for him because you think he'll win the election, politically, you're a fool."

There's nothing I could possibly say that would top those comments for brevity and pithiness. Well said, sir.

No comments:

Post a Comment