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Carville Calls for 'Pure Economic Rage' — Urges Democrats to Embrace a Bold Populist Economic Agenda

James Carville argues in a recent op-ed that Democrats should run on a bold, populist economic platform he dubs "pure economic rage." He cites recent Democratic wins and voter concerns about affordability as evidence the strategy could work. A national survey cited in the discussion shows President Trump’s economic approval has dropped 15 points to roughly 36 percent. Carville urges consolidating urban and suburban turnout while using economic populism to chip away at Republican strength in rural areas.

12:32 PM, 11/25/2025Politics
Carville Calls for 'Pure Economic Rage' — Urges Democrats to Embrace a Bold Populist Economic Agenda

Democratic strategist James Carville is urging his party to center its next campaign on what he calls "pure economic rage," arguing that an unapologetically populist economic platform is the best route back to broad voter support.

"It is time for Democrats to embrace a sweeping, aggressive, unvarnished, unapologetic and altogether unmistakable platform of pure economic rage. This is our only way out of the abyss."

Why Carville thinks this matters

Carville’s call comes after a string of recent Democratic victories in gubernatorial contests and state legislative races, which signaled voter concern about affordability and economic issues. He contends that the party should both consolidate turnout among reliable urban and suburban voters and adopt policies that can break the Republican advantage in rural areas.

A recent national survey cited in the discussion shows President Trump’s approval on the economy has declined sharply — down 15 points since March to about 36 percent — underscoring Carville’s argument that economic messaging is a vulnerable area for the incumbent.

"Just as we did in 2018 and even in 2022, it’s all but certain that Democrats will turn out urban and suburban voters in the midterms, specifically the kind of people who vote regularly... What we must also do is build a platform that helps us permanently uproot the Republican advantage in more rural regions. This can be done only with good old-fashioned economic populism, both in message and measure."

Carville emphasizes practical economic populism — policies and promises that speak directly to affordability, wages, and cost pressures — combined with an assertive message to energize voters who feel left behind. Whether the party adopts his aggressive language and policy prescriptions, his intervention highlights a strategic debate about how Democrats should translate recent wins into a durable national advantage.

Sources: James Carville (op-ed author); a recent national survey referenced in the piece.

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