(NewsNation) — Democratic strategist James Carville says the party should focus on what works in swing states, not deep-blue areas like those of Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
“When you look at Senator Slotkin, Senator Baldwin, Senator Rosen, Senator Gallego, these are the kinds of people that are the future of the Democratic Party,” Carville said Thursday on “CUOMO.”
Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez, two progressives, are currently traveling the country on their “Fighting Oligarchy” tour as the Democratic Party tries to chart a path forward after November’s defeat.
When asked if the tour could “galvanize” the party, Carville said it’s “fine” but pointed out that Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez “come from places that they can’t lose.”
Carville said he wants to hear more from “people that are running in places that they could lose.”
He said he has more respect for politicians who can win close elections and takes into consideration “where somebody comes from” and the “partisan lean of the electorate that they’re looking at.”
In February, the longtime Democratic strategist advised his party to “play dead” and allow President Trump to self-destruct from his unpopular policies.
Carville said he stands by that advice given what’s going on with Trump’s tariffs and the flailing stock market.
As for the self-destruction, Carville said: “[Republicans are] doing just fine on their own; they don’t need our help.”
Watch the conversation with Carville in the player above.