James Carville doesn’t think the Republicans have much of a chance against Hillary Clinton — that is, unless they nominate Marco Rubio.
In a Wednesday interview with Bloomberg Politics, Carville, the longtime adviser to Bill and Hillary Clinton, told host Mark Halperin that Rubio is the GOP’s “only hope” to compete in the general election.
“He is the only hope that they have that they don’t get 45 percent of the vote, and they know it,” Carville said of Rubio.
“He’s the only Republican candidate who can get 45 percent of the vote?” Halperin asked.
“Yes,” Carville said. When Halperin wondered about the likes of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Ohio Gov. John Kasich, Carville said, “Well, of anybody that has a chance to be the nominee. I mean, John Kasich could get more than 45 [percent] — but again, that’s like saying I could get more than 45 [percent].
“So the only rational thing for the Republican Party to do at this point is nominate Marco Rubio?” Halperin asked.
“Yes,” Carville said. “Because he hasn’t said as many things as the [other GOP candidates] have. He doesn’t have the same negatives that they do.”
“Look, I think he can get 47 [percent],” Carville remarked. “I don’t think he can win, but he can get over 45 [in a general election],” Carville said.
Carville added, “Unless Romney got in or something.”
According to the latest RealClearPolitics average, Rubio currently sits third in both Iowa and New Hampshire, as well as nationally. In addition, Rubio also tops the Washington Examiner‘s latest power rankings.
