During a recent episode of the Politics War Room podcast, Democratic strategist James Carville criticized the Democratic National Committee (DNC) for including a land acknowledgement at its summer meeting in Minneapolis. The acknowledgement stated that Minneapolis is built on stolen land.
Carville expressed frustration with the DNC’s focus on such issues during an election year. He said, “Why are you bringing this up in an election!? … This is an election and the DNC is not the place to discuss this! Understand this: the DNC does not exist to right wrongs,” Carville said. “It doesn’t exist to acknowledge the more unpleasant parts of history. It doesn’t exist to make people feel good. It exists— get this through your head — to win elections! Now, do you think that is going to help us win elections … by arguing about land theft from the Dakotas? We’re not!”
He continued, “Please stop this in the name of a just, merciful God! Don’t you see what’s happening? Don’t you see where this has brought us to? For God’s sakes, lady!” Carville also questioned DNC Chairman Ken Martin’s role: “And what is [DNC Chairman] Ken Martin doing there? You don’t have but one job, Ken — it’s to win! … You’re supposed to try to win fucking elections! Before we leave this, in case you’re wondering, Fox was over this like stink on shit. They were all over it, as you could well imagine.”
Carville’s comments follow advice from a liberal think tank urging Democrats to avoid certain language often described as “woke.” Despite these recommendations, party leaders proceeded with symbolic gestures at their gathering.
The incident drew attention from conservative media outlets and sparked debate within Democratic circles about campaign messaging and priorities ahead of upcoming elections.
