POLITICS

Will the Last Octogenarian Democrat Turn Out the Lights as They Leave?

It’s time to pass the torch to a new generation of Americans

The Eternal Flame at President John F. Kennedy’s grave in Arlington National Cemetery. “Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans …” — John F. Kennedy in his Inaugural address, January 20, 1961. (Shutterstock photo 1486777313 by Shaun Conway)

James Carville recently had an opinion piece in the New York Times analyzing why Democrats lost the November election. He properly points out that it wasn’t a landslide victory for Trump, MAGA, and the Republican party. And, he does indicate that Democrats should take some solace in winning key House races, 3 of which are in New York State and one of which I had some experience with.

I love Mr. Carville. In fact, I sometimes use the book he wrote with Paul Bagala, Buck Up, Suck Up . . . and Come Back When You F*** Up, as a primer for new candidates that I work with. It’s a little dated, and I wish he would do an upgrade. But, in any event, Carville, who vaulted to fame with the winning of Bill Clinton’s election as President, will no doubt go down in history as one of the great Democratic Strategists.

All of that is why it’s difficult for me to write this piece because the premise he presents in his piece is wrong.

In the editorial, he takes us back to those heady days when his main campaign theme “It’s the economy stupid”, vaulted Clinton to the White House. But while making the argument, he unwittingly…