The once-bright flame of progressive politics is flickering, and according to James Carville—one of the Democratic Party’s most iconic strategists—it may soon burn out altogether. Known for his blunt style, strategic instincts, and pivotal role in shaping Democratic victories in the 1990s, Carville has once again made headlines by taking direct aim at the far-left flank of his party. His target: the so-called “Squad” and other progressive leaders who, in his view, are clinging to a political moment that has passed them by.
Composed of prominent figures such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), and Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), the Squad emerged as a potent force in American politics in the wake of Donald Trump’s 2016 victory. Young, outspoken, and unapologetically progressive, these lawmakers quickly garnered a national following. They embodied a new style of Democratic leadership—fiercely leftist, media-savvy, and rooted in social justice ideals. But Carville, a veteran of many political wars, sees their current influence as more style than substance—and more risk than reward.
“The glory days of progressive idealism and electoral momentum are long gone,” Carville said in a recent interview with The Daily Beast. “And the Squad needs to accept that reality.”
Carville’s comments are not just political sniping. They reflect a deeper tension within the Democratic Party—one that has grown increasingly pronounced since Joe Biden’s victory in 2020. While progressives have celebrated small wins and social media success, Carville argues that their policies and rhetorical style are alienating the very voters Democrats need to win in competitive districts.
“You know what they don’t do? Win elections,” Carville said, dismissing the national appeal of figures like Ocasio-Cortez and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, who is currently touring the country with Ocasio-Cortez as part of their “Fight Oligarchy” campaign.
Carville didn’t hold back his scorn for the duo’s latest efforts.
“All they do is impress other journalists. They never beat a Republican,” he scoffed.
The jab may sound harsh, but it comes from a man who has helped Democrats win some of their most consequential battles. As the chief strategist for Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign, Carville’s mantra—“It’s the economy, stupid”—epitomized the kind of laser-focused, bread-and-butter messaging that helped Democrats recapture the White House after 12 years of Republican control.
Carville sees today’s progressive wing as having drifted away from that model. Rather than speaking to the economic anxieties of working-class Americans, he believes many Democrats are now speaking in a language that resonates only with highly educated urban elites—leaving behind the voters they need to build durable electoral coalitions.
“Every time that you see a Democrat out there screaming and pounding the podium, ask yourself: ‘Have they ever beat a Republican?’” Carville said.
Though it’s true that Ocasio-Cortez has handily defended her seat in New York’s 14th Congressional District, her victories come in one of the most solidly Democratic districts in the country. That, Carville argues, does not translate to swing states or competitive House races in suburban or rural America—where Democratic control of the House will ultimately be decided in 2026.
The problem, Carville insists, is that the policies and language coming from the progressive left have become more of a liability than an asset. Whether it’s the use of academic terminology like “intersectionality,” an overemphasis on identity politics, or demands to defund the police, Carville believes that this style of politics turns off mainstream voters.
“Ninety percent of people in the country have no idea what they’re talking about,” he said, referring to Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez’s use of terms like “oligarchy.”
And it’s not just the language—it’s the hypocrisy, too, Carville added. He pointed to Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez flying across the country on a private jet to attend speaking engagements railing against inequality and corporate excess.
“I’ve got a great idea,” Carville said sarcastically. “Let’s send an 83-year-old and a congresswoman from Queens out in the country.”
It was a brutal line—but one that encapsulates Carville’s view that progressive leaders are out of touch not just with political strategy, but with the people they claim to represent. For Carville, politics is about winning elections, building majorities, and enacting real change—not scoring points on social media or getting glowing profiles in elite publications.
To be clear, Carville’s frustration is not with the ideals of the left per se. He has long supported civil rights, social progress, and strong government action to improve people’s lives. What bothers him is the current execution: a fixation on symbolic issues, ideological purity, and academic jargon over tangible policies that resonate with working- and middle-class Americans.
This isn’t the first time Carville has issued a warning to the Democratic Party. In recent years, he’s been sounding the alarm about what he calls “woke-speak”—the language and cultural signals that, while popular in liberal circles, repel voters in the political center. He believes that if Democrats don’t adjust course, they risk ceding ground to Republicans—not just in red states, but in districts and states they once considered safe.
His analysis resonates with a growing number of Democrats, particularly moderates and centrists, who have seen firsthand how culture war issues can derail campaigns. In places like Ohio, North Carolina, and even parts of California, Democrats have struggled to counter Republican messaging that paints them as extreme, elitist, or out of touch.
While Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez have energized a passionate segment of the base, Carville contends that passion doesn’t equal electoral success. Their agenda, he says, may inspire activists and college students, but it’s failing to win over swing voters in battleground districts.
The result? A Democratic Party at risk of splintering between idealistic progressives and pragmatic centrists—a divide that could shape the outcome of the 2026 midterms and beyond.
Carville’s critique, while biting, comes from a place of concern. He wants to see Democrats win. He wants to see them build coalitions that can govern effectively. But to do that, he insists, they need to return to a kind of politics that speaks plainly, aims practically, and focuses relentlessly on results.
“Politics is about addition, not subtraction,” he often says—a reminder that coalitions are built by bringing people in, not pushing them away with niche rhetoric or ideological purity tests.
Whether the Squad and other progressives heed his warning remains to be seen. But if Democrats fail to regain control of the House in 2026, Carville’s words may echo even louder: a prescient cautionary tale from a strategist who’s seen what it takes to win—and knows when a party has lost its way.
