Democratic strategist James Carville has launched a scathing attack on the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, calling them "walking catastrophes" who "must be dealt with." Carville's comments come amidst growing frustration within the party over the progressive agenda and its potential impact on the 2024 presidential election.
Former South Carolina Rep. Doug Collins and Fox News contributor Richard Fowler joined "The Faulkner Focus" to discuss Kamala Harris's flip-flops on key election issues and James Carville's latest criticism of the far-left.
James Carville Unleashes on Progressive Left, Labels Them 'Walking Catastrophes'
Democratic strategist James Carville took aim at Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., during his "Politics War Room" podcast on Thursday. Carville accused Fetterman of being "one of the great backstabbers in modern Democratic politics" and said he must be dealt with after the presidential election.
Carville and his podcast co-host Al Hunt discussed VP Harris choosing Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate during the episode, which was first reported by Mediaite.
James Carville Unleashes on Progressive Left, Labels Them 'Walking Catastrophes'
Hunt said Fetterman "sandbagged" Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro in the race for Harris' vice president. "And, of course, the reason he's in the United States Senate is because of Shapiro. If you look at the Pennsylvania election returns, 2022, you'll get the idea of how Josh dragged this guy across the finish line."
Fetterman made headlines recently after reportedly expressing concern over putting Gov. Shapiro on the Harris ticket. Politico reported that Fetterman's aides informed Harris' campaign about his concerns, including that Shapiro is too focused on "his own personal ambitions."
James Carville Unleashes on Progressive Left, Labels Them 'Walking Catastrophes'
He was pressed on his reported concerns during an appearance on MSNBC on Wednesday. Fetterman told MSNBC that he "never directed anyone" on his team to go to the Harris campaign.
"I just don't understand why we're talking about a choice that was already made. I was very clear that the vice president is perfectly capable of picking whoever they want. They have effectively unlimited funding. She has access to every Democratic expert, and she made her choice. And that's where we're at right now," Fetterman said.
"And [Walz]'s right on the stage right now in Wisconsin, and why are we talking about this weird stuff? I don't understand that," Fetterman said.
Fetterman and Carville traded barbs in December 2023 over Carville's criticisms of President Biden, who was trailing Donald Trump in the polls at the time.
"There's a whole lifetime in politics between now and next November as well. I'm not worried about that. And I'm very vocal about this, too, while there are Democrats that are being very critical about the president... I'll use this [as] another opportunity to tell James Carville to shut the f--- up," Fetterman told Politico.
Fetterman's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
"Like I said," Fetterman continued, "my man hasn't been relevant since grunge was a thing. And I don't know why he believes it's helpful to say these kinds of things about an incredibly difficult circumstance with an incredibly strong and decent and excellent president. I'll never understand that," the senator said of Carville.
Responding to the Democratic lawmaker's criticisms in 2023, Carville told Fox News Digital, "I've never met this man, to be honest with you." "But I guess he's the proclaimer of relevance in modern American politics," he added.
Carville's comments highlight the growing tension within the Democratic Party over the role of the progressive wing. Some Democrats believe that the progressive agenda is alienating moderate voters and making it harder for the party to win elections. Others argue that the progressive agenda is necessary to address the urgent issues facing the country.
The debate over the future of the Democratic Party is likely to continue in the months leading up to the 2024 presidential election.
