Veteran Democratic strategist James Carville expressed his disappointment with President Biden's political decisions, particularly his late withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race. Carville believes that Biden's insistence on running for re-election ultimately led to his downfall and tarnished his legacy.
Carville, in a recent video commentary, called Biden "the most tragic figure in American politics" he's witnessed. While he didn't criticize Biden's decision to pardon his son, Hunter, he emphasized how the president's actions throughout his term contributed to his unpopularity. Carville downplayed the controversy surrounding the pardon, suggesting that such promises are often broken. He pointed to the criticism from Democrats and media outlets who felt Hunter Biden received lenient treatment for his felony convictions and worried about the precedent it set for potential abuses of power by Trump.
Carville's main point of contention was Biden's decision to seek re-election. He argued that if Biden had stepped aside earlier, perhaps in August or September of 2023, the Democratic Party would have likely secured victory in the 2024 election. He suggested that a wealth of talented individuals within the party could have stepped up and led the Democrats to a more decisive win. Carville envisioned an alternate reality where Biden, having gracefully exited the political stage, would be enjoying a celebrated legacy, with various institutions being named in his honor. He believed that in this scenario, a pardon for Hunter Biden, if granted by the new Democratic president, would have faced minimal opposition due to the positive perception of Biden's overall tenure.
Carville lamented that Biden's current predicament is "self-inflicted" and "tragic." He predicted it would take years for the public to appreciate Biden's achievements, such as revitalizing the manufacturing sector. He concluded by reiterating his belief that Biden's missteps were avoidable and that the president had ultimately brought his troubles upon himself.
