Longtime Democratic strategist James Carville has warned his party not to be overly optimistic about Vice President Kamala Harris’s chances in the 2024 election, emphasizing that President Donald Trump has a history of exceeding expectations in key battleground states. Speaking on CNN’s “The Lead with Jake Tapper,” Carville reminded Democrats that while national polls may show a slight lead for Harris, Trump’s support in swing states remains strong.
Carville pointed out that in past elections, Trump consistently outperformed his polling averages, particularly in critical states that determine the Electoral College outcome. He noted that Harris would likely need to win the popular vote by a wider margin than expected to secure the presidency, given the current distribution of support.
Democrats have grown more confident in recent weeks, but Carville urged them to stay focused and realistic. “Anybody that looks at this with any sense of history, any sense of objectivity, sees that there’s plenty possible pitfalls,” he said, adding that Democrats should “stop being giddy” and recognize the challenges ahead.
Carville’s concerns align with those of CNN’s Van Jones, who expressed discomfort with how close the race remains despite Harris benefiting from weeks of favorable press coverage. Jones noted that Harris’s campaign should aim to pull ahead decisively, rather than remain stuck in a tie with Trump.
Carville’s message underscores the importance of staying vigilant and recognizing that Trump’s ability to rally his base and outperform polling makes him a significant threat, even when the numbers appear to favor Harris.
