Longtime Democratic strategist James Carville revealed this week that he is now “haunted” by his iconic “It’s the economy, stupid” slogan from Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign. Speaking on the latest episode of his “Politics War Room” podcast, Carville expressed regret over coining the phrase that became a cornerstone of Clinton’s successful bid for the White House.
Carville's Regret Over the Slogan
“I now have come to detest the fact I said that,” Carville said, referring to the phrase that urged Clinton’s campaign to focus on the economy above all else. He lamented that the slogan has been misinterpreted by voters who prioritize economic performance over ethical governance.
“I listen to people say, ‘People don’t care about corruption. They care about the economy.’ As long as their incomes are up, they really don’t care what he [President Donald Trump] does,” Carville stated. “And I’m afraid that’s right,” he added.
Comparing Bush and Trump Administrations
Carville contrasted former President George H.W. Bush, whom he described as “not a corrupt man at all,” with the Trump administration, which he characterized by “staggering” corruption. He noted that Trump’s personal income surged during his second term, highlighting the ethical concerns.
“I understand people say, ‘Yeah, you’re right, that’s all people care about is the economy.’ And I won’t do it, I don’t say anything, I’m nice, I want to punch them in the fucking face,” Carville said. “I’m serious,” he added. “The phrase actually haunts me today.”
Economic Focus in Elections
Carville’s co-host, Al Hunt, suggested that “the bulk of the American electorate, even in this coming election, is going to be driven by economic considerations.” Carville agreed, saying, “And it pains me. We can get over high egg prices, we can get over high gas prices and we can get over a lot of interest rates. You can’t get over systemic, endemic, persuasive corruption. That’s everything.”
“This is a troubling time,” he concluded.
