Politics

Carville on 2012: ‘I’m worried’

Will Rahn Senior Editor
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Democratic strategist James Carville, the political operative famous for guiding Bill Clinton to the White House, says he’s worried America’s economic climate could sink President Obama in 2012.

“Everything worries me in this environment,” Carville told North Dakota-based radio host Scott Hennen in an interview Tuesday evening. “Nobody’s gotten elected with these kinds of numbers. So, I’m worried in the general election. I profoundly admit that.”

Despite low approval ratings and a stagnant economy nearly three years into his presidency, recent polls show Obama in a close race with Republican front-runner and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney. “Again, Romney’s just making a technocratic kind of confidence argument, and he’s really kind of a windsock of a guy,” said Carville. “If you don’t like his position on something, give it a day: He’ll change it.”

One candidate Carville doesn’t seem to worry about is former pizza mogul Herman Cain.

“Herman Cain goes out and he got a 999, and it’s 909, and he’s like changing area codes,” Carville said. “The guy can’t even figure out what his position on abortion [is] yet, which is kind of a basic issue. He gleefully professes ignorance on foreign policy.

“Again, I’m not — but if I were a person, if I had a conservative world view and I was looking for our next election to have somebody to articulate that view, I would be unbelievably disappointed. “

“Herman Cain is a salesman,” Carville added. “I mean, he’s not trying in one sense. He’s just trying to get some attention. He’s not going to get the nomination.”