James Carville, veteran Democratic strategist, warned that the party is “steamrolling toward a civilized civil war,” saying that it is also necessary on the heels of the 2024 election loss.
Newsweek reached out to the Democratic National Committee (DNC) via email Monday for comment.
Why It Matters
Carville, in an op-ed in The New York Times on Monday, referencing internal divisions and the aftermath of President Donald Trump’s election win, echoed criticisms he said were common among fellow Democrats, saying the party is “constipated, leaderless, confused, and divided.”
Carville’s comments followed a string of defeats for Democrats in the 2024 election cycle, with the party’s struggles for a clear message and effective leadership intensifying as the 2026 midterm elections approach.
With the party still seeking a direction and a leader capable of rallying its broad coalition, Carville’s warnings hold particular resonance as Democrats prepare for upcoming electoral battles.
What To Know
In the op-ed, Carville said, “The Democratic Party is steamrolling toward a civilized civil war. It’s necessary to have it. It’s even more necessary to delay it.”
Carville noted a fissure within the party along both generational and ideological lines and highlighted Zohran Mamdani’s win in the New York City Democratic primary as an example.
“Candidates like Mr. Mamdani are impatient for an economic future that folks my age are skeptical can be delivered,” Carville said.
The strategist said that a leader will emerge the day after the 2026 midterm elections, adding, “No new party or candidate has a chance for a breakthrough until that day.”
As Democrats and Republicans alike ramp up midterm efforts, Carville suggests the Democratic Party run on the phrase “We demand a repeal.”
Carville said the phrase can be used to emphasize the Democrats’ desire to repeal President Trump’s spending law, a repeal to protest Medicaid, a repeal to save the deficit, and a repeal “to end the endless wars.”
“We’ve never had a simpler, more unifying oppositional message,” Carville concluded. “Soon it will no longer be possible to avoid a brawl between the factions ignited back in the 2016 Democratic presidential primaries. But for now, whether you’re the progressive Mr. Mamdani, the centrist former Representative Abigail Spanberger running for the Virginia governorship or even Elon Musk, we can all agree on one thing: We demand a repeal. Onward to the midterms.”
According to recent polling, potential contenders for the Democratic 2028 presidential primary ticket include former Vice President Kamala Harris, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
What People Are Saying
Former George W. Bush adviser Scott Jennings on X in June: “Dems have blown their credibility with the working class on illegal immigration, insane cultural issues, and identity politics. And now they expect people to believe their attacks on Trump’s economic policies?”
Carville, in part, in the op-ed: “Our midterm march starts with a simple phrase every candidate can blast on every screen and stage: We demand a repeal. A repeal of Mr. Trump’s spending law is the one word that should define the midterms. It is clear, forceful and full-throated. It must be slathered across every poster, every ad, every social media post from now until November 2026. That single word is our core message. Every Democrat can run on it, with outrage directed not at the president or a person but at this disastrous bill. And the reasons are countless, each one a venom-tipped political dagger.”
Brendan Buck, MSNBC political analyst, on X on Monday: “Oh dear. A midterm pledge to repeal a major law you have almost no chance of repealing. What could possibly go wrong…”
What Happens Next
Democrats and Republicans are expected to ramp up campaigning ahead of the 2026 midterms.
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