The polls are worrisome for the Kamala Harris campaign. Trump’s reelection is looking more likely by the day.
And that’s why this former Clinton strategist has sounded the alarm about Harris’s election chances.
James Carville’s Concern: Harris Campaign Running Out of Time to Define Message
Democratic strategist James Carville expressed deep concern about the trajectory of Vice President Kamala Harris’s 2024 campaign, as the race enters its final stages. Appearing on MSNBC’s The Beat with Ari Melber Wednesday night, Carville didn’t hold back, stating that he’s “scared to death” about Election Day and the Harris campaign’s ability to rally voters, citing a dwindling timeframe to effectively communicate her message.
As the strategist behind Bill Clinton’s successful presidential bid, Carville’s insights carry weight, especially with the election looming. According to him, the Harris campaign is in a race against the clock, having “under 20 days” to “really get a message out.”
“I’m very, very concerned,” Carville said, referencing the shrinking window of opportunity as Harris pushes through the campaign’s final phase.
Urgency in the Final Stretch
When asked by Melber what Harris needs to do in the final month of the campaign, Carville was blunt. “She doesn’t have a month left,” he remarked. “We’ve got 26 days. Today is gone.” He highlighted the impact of the upcoming hurricane, which he said could consume four days, further reducing the time left for effective campaigning.
“We’re going to lose four to the hurricane. Just subtract that. We’re going to get blank—you’re not going to get much out for the next four days,” he continued, before noting that election-related activity typically winds down the Saturday before Election Day. With that in mind, Carville emphasized that there are likely “under 20 days” remaining for Harris to truly make a mark.
He emphasized the need for Harris’s team to be both “sharp” and “aggressive” in their messaging. Carville advised against passively responding to questions during interviews, urging the campaign to take control of the narrative by asking questions themselves.
“They need to stop answering questions and start asking questions,” he said, referencing recent media appearances like those on 60 Minutes and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Carville argued that in such interviews, the candidate is always at a disadvantage. “If I come on your show, you will ask me the questions. If I have a press conference, I get to ask the questions,” he explained.
Missed Opportunities Against Trump
Carville also vented frustration about what he perceives as missed opportunities in countering Republican messaging, specifically from Trump’s running mate, JD Vance. He pointed out that the Harris campaign has failed to challenge the claim that Trump “saved Obamacare,” a narrative Vance has pushed in recent weeks.
“I would put President Obama out to make that [challenge],” Carville said, adding that Obama’s legacy in expanding healthcare coverage for 23 million Americans should be a central talking point. “He only is the author, the father of 23 million people having insurance.” He further suggested that former President Bill Clinton could be utilized more effectively, particularly in key battleground states, by discussing the negative impact of Trump-era tariffs on the local economies of states like Wisconsin and Michigan.
“But we’re just letting that go,” Carville lamented, noting that the Harris campaign’s approach has been “too passive.” He reiterated the need for a much more assertive stance as the election nears.
Trump Pulls Ahead
Recent polling data indicates that time is of the essence for the Harris campaign. Trump has been gaining momentum in key battleground states, leading Harris in five of the seven crucial states as of Thursday morning, according to RealClearPolitics.
Compounding her campaign’s challenges are the missteps Harris made during recent high-profile interviews. On 60 Minutes, she sidestepped questions about the border crisis, a pressing issue under the Biden-Harris administration.
She also faced backlash for her appearance on The View, where, when asked if she would have done anything differently from President Biden, she responded, “nothing comes to mind.”
With just weeks remaining, Carville’s concerns highlight the urgency for the Harris campaign to refocus, sharpen its message, and engage more aggressively with voters—before time runs out.
But is Kamala Harris up for this task? She hasn’t proved that she is, but we’ll find out soon enough.
Stay tuned to The Federalist Wire.
