James Carville, a veteran Democratic campaign strategist, has issued a stark warning to the Democratic Party, urging them to abandon what he perceives as alienating far-left political jargon. Carville, a seasoned political operative known for his sharp wit and no-nonsense approach, has been a vocal critic of the party’s drift towards identity politics, arguing that it has alienated a significant portion of the electorate.
In his recent appearance on the "Politics War Room" podcast, Carville laid out his strategy for helping Democratic candidates connect with voters. He envisioned providing them with a "message box," a concise guide outlining key themes and arguments to effectively critique their opponents. These themes, he suggested, should focus on universally relatable issues such as corruption and ensuring safety and security.
However, the crux of Carville’s message centered on a list of words and phrases that he believes the Democratic Party should actively avoid. He argued that these terms, often associated with progressive or academic circles, either confuse or outright alienate the average voter.
Carville began by cautioning against the use of "generational change." He argued that emphasizing generational divides risks alienating older voters, a demographic that still holds significant political sway. "Don’t use ‘generational change,’ because there are a lot of people that are older. Why do you want to limit the appeal of your message to younger people?" he questioned, highlighting the importance of broad appeal. He pointed out the inevitability of generational shifts, stating "Believe me, generational change is coming whether you want it or not, I got news for ya".
Next, Carville took aim at the word "structural." He contended that focusing on abstract "structural issues" can feel distant and irrelevant to voters struggling with immediate concerns. "Don’t use words like ‘structural.’ We’re not attacking the structural issues in the world right now. We’re trying to, like, stay alive to the next day," he stated, emphasizing the need to address voters’ immediate anxieties.
The strategist then weighed in on the debate surrounding "equity" versus "equality," advocating for the latter. He argued that "equity" is often misunderstood or perceived as a push for forced outcomes. "People basically don’t know what [equity] means. And if they do know what it means, it looks like you’re trying to force an outcome," he explained, suggesting that "equality" is a more accessible and less contentious term.
Carville also criticized the use of the word "oligarch," seemingly referencing politicians like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who have used the term in their political rhetoric. "This is another stupid word, ‘Oligarch.’ Who in the f–k knows what an oligarch is? As opposed to a very acceptable word I’ve talked about before is ‘fat cats.’ Everybody knows what a fat cat is, everybody talks about what a fat cat is," he argued, suggesting that simpler, more relatable language is more effective in conveying the intended message.
He then turned his attention to the word "community," noting that it has become heavily politicized. "I wouldn’t use the word ‘community.’ I don’t have anything – nothing wrong with the word ‘community.’ Nothing wrong with being in a community. It’s just such a Democratic word," he said, highlighting how even seemingly innocuous words can become loaded with political baggage.
Carville also expressed reservations about using the full acronym "LGBTQ+," suggesting that it can be alienating. "I wouldn’t even use the ‘LBGQT+’ or whatever it is. I just call people gay, or lesbian, or trans, or I don’t know," he said, implying that using simpler, more direct language is more effective and less likely to confuse or alienate voters.
The veteran strategist argued that using such terms often comes across as pretentious. "You’re just trying to show people how smart you are. Don’t use words like that. Don’t use words like ‘intersectionality’," he stated bluntly. He recounted listening to an NPR panel discussing "intersectionality" and finding the conversation overly academic and inaccessible. "I literally thought they were gonna go overboard in ecstasy on the radio. Okay, it’s a real thing. No one uses the term ‘intersectionality’ except for NPR," he quipped, underscoring the disconnect between academic language and everyday communication.
Carville concluded his critique by drawing a parallel to the importance of word choice in general, invoking the adage, "A mind is a terrible thing to waste," and adding, "A word is a terrible thing to waste." He then quoted Mark Twain, "The difference between the right word and a nearly right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug," emphasizing the power of precise language.
He urged listeners to call out elected officials who use language that is not helpful in communicating with voters. "So when you hear your elected representatives, you hear Democrats or you hear sane people using words that are not the right word, let them know that that kind of language is not helpful. It doesnt mean youre a bad person, its just not helpful, youre wasting an opportunity to break your case," he advised, concluding with the metaphor: "Be lightning, don’t be a lightning bug."
