Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) has no shot at winning the Democratic presidential nomination if she decides to run in 2028, according to veteran political strategist James Carville.
The 81-year-old pundit argued the “Squad” congresswoman’s politics are too far-left for Democratic presidential primary voters, who have historically backed more moderate candidates.
“Let me say something very clearly: The Democrats — not even in ’72 — never nominate the most liberal candidate,” Carville said during an appearance on the “Greta Wire” podcast Thursday. “But that’s the fantasy of the right wing, that the Democrats are going to nominate a socialist, urbanist, whatever.”
Carville, the architect of former President Bill Clinton’s successful 1992 White House bid, praised Ocasio-Cortez’s political instincts and her work on Capitol Hill, but seemed convinced she wouldn’t even attempt a presidential run. .
“I think AOC is remarkably talented, let me be very clear about that. Her staff work is pristine,” he told host Greta Van Susteren. “But she’s not gonna run for president because she’s not gonna have any chance.”
Carville noted that black voters in southern states, like South Carolina, play an outsized role in determining the party nominee because of the Democratic presidential primary calendar – and he expressed serious doubt they would support Ocasio-Cortez.
“Remember who decides who the Democratic nominee is, and that is Southern Blacks,” Carville said. “And I got news for you: They’re not that liberal.”
Ocasio-Cortez, a democratic socialist darling, has frequently been tipped to run for either the White House or Senate two years from now.
Among the crop of potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidates – which includes former Vice President Kamala Harris, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro – Ocasio-Cortez typically polls in the top five.
The New York Democrat has not ruled out a 2028 presidential run.
