Political strategist James Carville expressed concerns in a Sunday morning radio interview that the current geriatric presidential campaign may be alienating young voters.
“The lack of enthusiasm among young people for public policy, or public service, or being involved in the public square, is quite disheartening,” Carville stated.
Carville, recognized for his political insights and for managing Bill Clinton’s triumphant 1992 presidential campaign, attributed part of the issue to the advanced ages of President Joe Biden and likely GOP nominee Donald Trump.
“[Young people] feel like things are not working for them,” Carville said on the Cats Roundtable radio show. “They feel like — two 80-year-old guys that don’t mean much to them. And I am really afraid we’re going to lose a generation of young people as they grow older. That’s probably my greatest fear for the United States, is that young people are disengaging.”
Biden is 81 years old, and Trump turns 78 this week. Carville, who will turn 80 later this year, mentioned that Biden is overly focused on issues like the Gaza conflict and student loans, which are relevant to smaller segments of the population, and should instead emphasize broader topics like the economy.
During the interview, Carville mentioned he plans to vote for Biden but believes the party has better options among its younger members.
“We have a choice to make in November,” he said. “It isn’t a choice that I was crazy about. I actually was very public that I thought President Biden should not run for reelection. But he did.”
Among the younger candidates Carville favors are Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-PA), Gov. Wes Moore (D-MD), and Gov. Andy Beshear (D-KY), all of whom are under 50.
“There are any number of current people,” Carville added. “The governor of Kentucky [Beshear] is one of the most talented people I have ever seen … He’s a good friend of mine.”
