Democrat strategist James Carville said Democrats are unlikely to nominate their most liberal candidate for president, arguing that the party's primary electorate has historically favored more moderate contenders.
Speaking to Newsmax's Greta Van Susteren during an appearance on her podcast, "Greta Wire," Thursday, Carville pushed back on the notion that Democrats would choose Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., as the party's presidential nominee, despite praising her political abilities.
"Let me say something very clearly: The Democrats — not even in '72 — never nominate the most liberal candidate," Carville said. "But that's the fantasy of the right wing, that the Democrats are going to nominate a socialist, urbanist, whatever."
Carville said Ocasio-Cortez is "remarkably talented" and commended her work as a member of Congress.
"I think AOC is remarkably talented, let me be very clear about that. Her staff work is pristine," he said.
However, Carville said he does not believe Ocasio-Cortez would be a viable presidential nominee, arguing she would have little chance of securing the Democrat nomination.
"But she's not gonna run for president because she's not gonna have any chance," he said.
Carville attributed his assessment to the makeup of the Democratic Party's primary electorate, particularly the influence of Black voters in Southern states that traditionally play a significant role in the party's nominating process.
"Remember who decides who the Democratic nominee is, and that is Southern Blacks," Carville said. "And I got news for you: They're not that liberal."
Carville, a longtime Democrat strategist who helped lead Bill Clinton's successful 1992 presidential campaign, has frequently commented on the direction of the Democratic Party and the ideological balance between its progressive and moderate wings.
Ocasio-Cortez, who has represented New York's 14th Congressional District since 2019, has become one of the Democratic Party's most prominent progressive voices and has been viewed by some political observers as a potential future national candidate.
She has not announced a presidential campaign or publicly indicated plans to seek the White House.