Stephen A's Take: Stephen A breaks down angry Democratic strategist James Carville.

Summary

The Stephen A. Smith Show Episode: Stephen A's Take: Stephen A breaks down angry Democratic strategist James Carville
Release Date: February 23, 2025

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Introduction: The Clash Begins

In this episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show, host Stephen A. Smith delves into a heated exchange between himself and renowned Democratic strategist James Carville. The confrontation originated when Carville publicly criticized Smith’s recent political commentary, sparking a dynamic and intense dialogue about the current state of the Democratic Party.

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James Carville's Critique of Stephen A. Smith

The episode kicks off with Nate Thompson explaining how James Carville addressed Smith on his Politicon podcast, questioning Smith’s insights into the Democratic Party.

James Carville [01:29]:
"That's why I'm in the news. I'm not in the news because I'm here. I'm in the news because the Democratic Party is here. Damn it. Lower than that. Down at the bottom. They suck right now. Horrible. Because they don't have a voice. Where the hell is the voice everybody want to sit up there and talk about?"

Carville expresses frustration over what he perceives as the Democratic Party’s lack of a cohesive and effective voice, criticizing its current strategies and leadership.

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Stephen A. Smith's Rebuttal

Responding to Carville’s criticisms, Stephen A. Smith does not hold back his disdain for the strategist’s understanding of politics.

Stephen A. Smith [02:16]:
"You say you're friends with Wes Moore, and you say you're friends with Josh Shapiro, or I'm friends with both of them. I think they're really extraordinary, talented people. I got news for you, dude. That's six or seven other people in the Democratic Party that are just that talented. So before you start running your mouth off about politics, a topic of which you really don't know anything about, you ought to sit back and think about it and call some people and run it by them."

Smith challenges Carville’s authority, suggesting that his criticisms are unfounded and that Carville lacks the necessary political acumen to make such statements.

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Nate Thompson's Defense and Analysis

Nate Thompson steps in to mediate the conversation, defending Smith’s position while critiquing Carville’s approach.

Nate Thompson [05:05]:
"You sound like one of those old curmudgeons that want things to stay so the way that they used to be. And you're resentful, harboring an abundance of animosity because you're not being heard."

Thompson argues that Carville’s inability to connect with contemporary voters stems from a resistance to change and an attachment to outdated strategies.

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Carville’s Counterarguments

James Carville counters Thompson’s points by asserting his persistent and relevant involvement in political discourse.

James Carville [07:33]:
"I saw him on Fox News, I saw you on CNN. I saw you on your podcast before the election. Where the hell you think I got some of the stuff from?... You didn't say any of those things. I tell you what, let's see the audience."

Carville emphasizes that his critiques are informed and align with various media discussions, positioning himself as a credible voice within the Democratic landscape.

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The Democratic Party's Strategy Under Scrutiny

The conversation shifts to a broader analysis of the Democratic Party’s strategies and the effectiveness of its messaging.

Stephen A. Smith [06:17]:
"We have no legislative power. We have no executive power. We have no judicial power. So when you're out of power, you're an opposition party and go and tell all the people that are sending you and asking you for money, justify what you did, justify what you did wrong and tell us what you're going to do different."

Smith criticizes the party’s lack of tangible power and questions its accountability and strategic direction, highlighting perceived missteps that have led to voter disillusionment.

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Nate Thompson’s Perspective on Political Messaging

Thompson further elaborates on the discrepancy between traditional political strategies and the emerging voices within the party.

Nate Thompson [17:23]:
"Your problem isn't with me. Your problem is with those folks who are entrenched in politics on Capitol Hill... Young whippersnappers, breath smelling like Similac, wet behind the ears, that don't want to listen to somebody like you."

He suggests that the Democratic Party's struggles are due to a disconnect between established strategists like Carville and the newer, more dynamic elements vying for influence, leading to ineffective campaigning and messaging.

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Conclusion: A Call for Change

The episode culminates in a reflection on the necessity for the Democratic Party to evolve its strategies and embrace new voices to resonate with the modern electorate. Both Smith and Thompson advocate for a departure from outdated tactics, emphasizing the need for authentic and relatable communication to rebuild the party’s standing.

Nate Thompson [17:50]:
"Your problem isn't with me... If you're gonna mention my name, can we cut out the profanity? Can we stop cussing? Can we stop acting like we're juveniles? You're better than that, sir. You're better than that."

Thompson underscores the importance of professionalism and respect in political discourse, urging a move away from vitriolic exchanges toward constructive dialogue.

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Notable Quotes

• James Carville [01:29]:
  "They suck right now. Horrible. Because they don't have a voice."

• Stephen A. Smith [02:16]:
  "You really don't know anything about, you ought to sit back and think about it."

• Nate Thompson [05:05]:
  "You sound like one of those old curmudgeons."

• Stephen A. Smith [06:17]:
  "We have no legislative power. ... tell us what you're going to do different."

• Nate Thompson [17:50]:
  "Can we cut out the profanity? Can we stop cussing?"

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Final Thoughts

This episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show provides a compelling look into the tensions within the Democratic Party, highlighting the clash between traditional strategists and emerging voices. Through candid exchanges and incisive commentary, Stephen A. Smith and Nate Thompson offer listeners a nuanced perspective on the challenges and necessary transformations facing the party today.

Transcript

[Greg Rosenthal]

What's up, everyone? It's Greg Rosenthal, and I'm teaming up with the King of spring, Daniel Jeremiah. He requires me to say that we're going to be bringing you 40s and free agents, the only podcast you'll need this NFL draft season. From DJs mock drafts to my top 101, free agents will have it covered for you with all new episodes every Thursday keeping you up to date as we head to the NFL Draft. Listen to 40s and free agents starting on March 6th on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Julie Swerbinks]

What's up, everyone? Julie Swerbinks here, along with former NHL player Nate Thompson.

[Nate Thompson]

We're doing a new podcast together.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Here we go.

[Julie Swerbinks]

The name Energy Line with Nate and jsb.

[Nate Thompson]

Each week we'll get together and talk about hockey life. All topics are fair game, right?

[Julie Swerbinks]

Exactly. And you'll never know who will drop by to join us.

[Nate Thompson]

Julia's pretty well connected.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

She has text threads going that you wouldn't believe.

[Julie Swerbinks]

Listen to Energy Line with Nate and JSP on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Nate Thompson]

We're going to get started with Democratic strategist James Carville, who felt the need to call me out on his Politicon podcast earlier this week. The raging Cajun, as he is affectionately known, is apparently upset with my recent political commentary where I have been critical of the state of the Democratic Party. To refresh your memory, here's part of what I had to say earlier that got him all up in a tizzy. Check it out.

[James Carville]

That's why I'm in the news. I'm not in the news because I'm here. I'm in the news because the Democratic Party is here. Damn it. Lower than that. Down at the bottom. They suck right now. Horrible. Because they don't have a voice. Where the hell is the voice everybody want to sit up there and talk about? I mean, I need a voice. We don't need a voice. We don't need a voice. We don't need a voice. Well, guess what? Somebody got to send a message. How the hell can somebody receive a.

[Nate Thompson]

Message if there's no messenger in response to what you just saw me saying? That's when Carville evidently lost it. And he went on his Politicon podcast and had this personal message to give to me, even though it was seen by everybody.

[James Carville]

Take a look.

[Stephen A. Smith]

You know, I am a big Stephen A. Smith fan. I remember I saw him some years ago on TV when it Comes to politics, he don't know his ass from a hole in the ground. He's on that, running his goddamn mouth about how he may have to run as a Democrat because there's nothing left of the Democratic Party. Has no talent. Stephen A.

[Nate Thompson]

You.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Me. I mean, you say you're friends with Wes Moore, and you say you're friends with Josh Shapiro, or I'm friends with both of them. I think they're really extraordinary, talented people. I got news for you, dude. That's six or seven other people in the Democratic Party that are just that talented. So before you start running your mouth off about politics, a topic of which you really don't know anything about, you ought to sit back and think about it and call some people and run it by them. So, Stephen A. Keep up your own sports. I enjoy it. I like it. But don't make a fool of yourself anymore.

[Nate Thompson]

And talking about politics, what I find interesting about all of this is that a lot of what James Carville himself has been saying sounds a lot like what the hell I've been seeing. But before I get into that, first thing, first order business. So do you have to be so rude? You know, dropping F bombs and going all, you know, going off like that? I mean, I know that's your nature. I understand that, but. But let's just say two can do that, you know? I mean, if you really wanted to get raw, ain't nobody hiding from that. I could be that way. It's just that my mama taught me to respect my elders. And you are 80 years of age, if I remember correctly. And I'm trying to be respectful. So I'm not going to come at you the way that you came at me. I thought that was completely unnecessary. That's number one. Number two, I religiously say I'm no political aficionado. I religiously say I don't know politics like that. I read, I watch the news. I'm a conscientious observer. But I do have to ask you a question, Mr. James Carville, albeit rhetorically. You do know that you're talking to a voter, right? Could that be one of the reasons why y'all lost? Just a thought. Because you sound like one of those old curmudgeons that want things to stay the or be the way that they used to be. And you're resentful, harboring an abundance of animosity because you're not being heard.

[James Carville]

That's not Stephen A. Smith's fault, sir. That's that damn Democratic Party that I was talking about. You see, they shouldn't listen to me. Do you realize, James Carville, that that means they shouldn't have listened to you either? Which makes no sense because we were both right. Because guess what? What I was saying is what you were saying. I saw you on Fox News, I saw you on cnn. I saw you on your podcast before the election. Where the hell you think I got some of the stuff from? When you were talking about the Democratic Party, I'm making that up. I'm making it up. When you were lamenting their strategy, I'm making it up. When I talked about Kamala Harris and not resonating with the audience, I'm making it up. When I talked about woke culture, I'm making it up. When I talked about they weren't focused on the right issues, I'm making that up. You didn't say any of those things. I tell you what, let's see the audience. Let's show the audience rather exactly what you said. I didn't say hear it. I said let's show it to them so they can see your face. They know it's you. They know it's you, James Carville. This is you talking. Take a listen.

[Stephen A. Smith]

We have no legislative power. We have have no executive power. We have no judicial power. So when you're out of power, you're an opposition party and go and tell all the people that are sending you and asking you for money, justify what you did, justify what you did wrong and tell us what you're going to do different. Because what you've done ain't worth a shit. Get your head around that. In all of the Washington based Democrats farting around, going to wine and cheese parties and talking about how misogynistic. Get your ass out of Washington and go work on a 2026 campaign and do penance to make up for your goddamn arrogance and stupidity. Well, we're going to say we told you so. We told you this identity shit was disaster. We told you to get out in front of public safety issues. You didn't. We told you to have an open process and demonstrate the magnificent and staggering and deep talent that exists in the modern Democratic party. You didn't. We told you to differentiate yourself from Biden. You didn't. I hate to be some fucking know it all, but all of these things are part of the record.

[James Carville]

Where did I hear that before? I mean, did you hear him speaking, ladies and gentlemen, did you hear him speaking about woke culture? Did you hear him speaking about how you needed to separate yourself from Joe Biden? Did you hear him speaking about there was no primary. You remember that stuff? Where'd y'all hear that before? Where'd you hear it before? Oh, you thought I was finished. I got more. I got more. Play that next clip of James Carville, Please show up.

[Stephen A. Smith]

The first thing is, somebody runs for Democratic nomination in 2028, the first thing that I want to hear out of their mouth is, I'm taking our message everywhere. And when I say everywhere, I mean everywhere. I mean Joe Rogan, I mean Fox News, I mean Sunday morning shows. I mean everything. I'm proud of what we have to offer. I'm going to go out and promote it, and I'm going to go out and defend it, and I'm going to go out and attack them and. And I'm doing that all the time. Secondly, all of our events are going to be fun. There's going to be great music, there's going to be great comedians that are going to tell jokes. Before I come up, it's going to be an entirely different thing. With Dower, it's always somebody's in a pissy mood or somebody's this. And we're just people. We're just not connecting. We're not connecting at all. It is just going to require some discipline and it's going to require a change of attitude.

[Nate Thompson]

Just a little thought, Mr. James Carville. Are you sure you want to be the dude that's pointing out how the Democrats look so dour and always in a pissy mood?

[James Carville]

You show you the right person that should deliver that message. Have you looked in the mirror? You saw yourself. You've seen the way you've talked about yourself. You see the way you disseminate a message. You don't look dour, you don't look down. You don't look enthusiastic.

[Nate Thompson]

Come on, now. Listen, sir, I respect you. And by the way, I appreciate your compliments about my sports career, my career in sports broadcasting, what have you. It's very kind of you that part. Very, very much. So. Thank you very, very much. I do appreciate that. And I feel the same way about your political career. It's the economy, stupid. Still one of the most famous lines in political history. Back in 1992, when Clinton was running for office before he won the presidency.

[James Carville]

I got it.

[Nate Thompson]

I understand. I know who you are.

[James Carville]

I know you've got your chops.

[Nate Thompson]

I get you. But respectfully, sir, there's a couple of things that you need to understand. Most voters out there aren't political aficionados, but just because they're not doesn't mean that they don't know they, you know, their ass from a hole in the wall. As you described me. I saw inflation. I saw the economy not being what the Democrats purported it was. I saw crime in the streets. I saw a crisis at our borders. I saw a president that was clearly diminished, to say the least.

[James Carville]

I saw the Democratic Party debatably, arguably engage in undemocratic behavior when you ultimately greased the skids to make sure he didn't experience a primary, to ultimately send him to that debate stage June 27 and embarrass himself. Waited an additional three weeks for him to get out of office so you could put Kamala Harris in there without any resistance. I heard you lament that. Well, I lamented it, too. I complained about it, too. So we have to be as knowledgeable and as informed and as connected as James Carville to have a salient and decent opinion about what the hell is going on with the Democratic Party. That's what it takes. So respectfully, you're wrong and you know you're wrong. Now, there's a lot of people that.

[Nate Thompson]

Should have listened to you and they.

[James Carville]

Made a mistake by not listening to you. I'm the exact opposite. You were one of the people that I was listening to break down the problems with the Democratic Party. But in that sound that I played for our audience, I noticed that there was a level of inconsistency there. You talk about going to see. She should go and interview and sit down with everybody. The Joe Rogans of the world. The list goes on and on. Well, it's funny, sir. Mr. James Carville, I'm reading an article from Newsweek in November, and in that article before the election, you were talking about how you didn't like her strategy.

[Nate Thompson]

Or the immediate aftermath of the election.

[James Carville]

I'm sorry. You were lamenting how you didn't like the fact that she was sitting down with everybody.

[Nate Thompson]

Actually, I think it was before the election.

[James Carville]

You were talking about how you didn't like the fact that she was going.

[Nate Thompson]

To sit down with Fox News, that.

[James Carville]

She was going to go on the View and all of this other stuff. You were talking about how you didn't like that. Now you sit back talking about if I'm a Democrat, I'd be around everybody. I'd go talk to everybody. That ain't what you said months ago. That's not what you said, sir. So respectfully, let me state this again.

[Nate Thompson]

For everybody to listen. My life is pretty damn good. I have no desire to be a politician. I wouldn't want to contaminate and sully my life by entrenching myself in that cesspool in the nation's capital. I'm very, very clear about that. And the pay would be significantly less. Let me add that, too, at least for the eight years I'm in office, because I damn sure if I win the first election, I ain't losing this second. So understand, I have no desire for it. What I said was, it's an absolute embarrassment that I am the person that's being mentioned and named. It's a disgrace to this Democratic Party. It shows you have no bullpen. And I know that's what got your, your antennas up, and that's what r you up. Even more so because you brought up how I have a relationship with Westmore and Josh Shapiro. Josh Shapiro. I met him one time in my life. I talked to him one time in my life, and hey, I, I think he's a fabulous governor for the state of Pennsylvania, and I think he knows his stuff. And, and, and I'm honored to have met him and I'm looking forward to cultivating a relationship with him. Westmore is a different animal. I love this brother. I know him through sports because he and I talk about the Ravens all the time. I think he's doing a damn good job with the state of Maryland. And if there is a Democratic nominee to look at, it is definitely him. I think Westmore is an absolute winner. I'm not apologizing for that to anybody.

[James Carville]

I did not mean to imply that.

[Nate Thompson]

There'S nobody in the bullpen in terms of their capabilities, sir. What I'm saying is who's resonating with the national audience?

[James Carville]

Because you got Trump and that cult, like, following that he has, who will go along with whoever Trump says to go along with in the event that he doesn't manipulate the Constitution and ends.

[Nate Thompson]

Up getting a third term.

[James Carville]

So you can put his vote, you can qualify that as lock, stock and barrel. Who's the Democrat that can galvanize an audience on a nationwide level to pull off the level of support that it's going to take to upend and usurp a Trump alkali or somebody like that in the future? Who is that person going to be? Do I have to be an aficionado in politics to say something like that? The Washington Post wrote an article about me today. Got a damn halo over my head trying to act like I'm Jesus, like I'm some savior. Ridiculous. But I don't mind. It was a good article. And I'm not insulted by it. I'm simply saying to paint me in that picture. No, I'm not that dude. But in that article, Will Kane, my former colleague at espn, now a host at Fox News, with a weekday show every week there, 4:00pm Eastern Standard Time.

[Nate Thompson]

I'm happy for him.

[James Carville]

I'm proud of him. In the same breath that he was complimentary of me, he said I didn't know enough about the issues. He's absolutely right. I never said I did. I don't study Capitol Hill like I study sports.

[Nate Thompson]

Do y'all want me to? Do you know what kind of havoc I'd wreak if I sat down for a few weeks and just buried my brain and my face and my mind into the nuances of politics and what transpires on Capitol Hill? Are y'all sure y'all want that smoke?

[James Carville]

You sure about that? I mean, because it's like you're daring.

[Nate Thompson]

Me to Mr. James Carver. Like you're daring me to.

[James Carville]

You sure are. You sure might want to think about that.

[Nate Thompson]

Because, you see, when you sit back and you allow your ayah to subside and you embrace the true, authentic words that I was spewing, I wasn't questioning Josh Shapiro. I wasn't questioning Westmore. I'm not even questioning somebody like Harold Ford Jr. Who works on the Five, on Fox, on Fox News. I think that the composure that he shows and what have you, he's a former representative. I think he could do some good things. All of these people are more qualified than me. All of them are more knowledgeable than me. How difficult is it to get knowledgeable about politics? If I really, really wanted to make some noise, all it takes is a.

[James Carville]

Few weeks and a few phone calls with people that I can clearly talk to because I got them on speed dial. It ain't that hard. It's just not a lane I want to venture into. An official in an official capacity. I'd much rather remain a pundit than a commentator. But if you really, really think James Carville about what I said, you've been.

[Nate Thompson]

Saying the exact same things. Which brings me to the culminating point of my diatribe that, dare I say, might make you a bit uncomfortable. Is what I said really the problem since most of what I've said are things that I also heard you say? Or is it the fact that some novice who doesn't know his ass from a hole in the wall when it comes to politics is resonating in the political stratosphere more than the latter might be the case. It shouldn't be. I would advise anybody in the world to listen to you about politics more than me. That is not where I'm going. What I'm saying, sir, is that you coming at me the way that you did, with your frustration and your vitriol and your disrespect, which was completely unnecessary. Although you were complimentary about the sports. Sir, I'm accusing your anger being misplaced doesn't lie with me. Whether I'm talking about politics or I engaged in politics, I would always want to hear what you have to say. Problem is not with me, my man. The problem is with those folks who are entrenched in politics on Capitol Hill. Young whippersnappers, breath smelling like Similac, wet behind the ears, that don't want to listen to somebody like you. They pushed you out like you're an old guard. Similar to what happens in sports when you got these young dudes that are heavily in the analytics, that push out the older, wiser, elder basketball minds. It happens in politics, too. Those young kids on Capitol Hill don't want to hear what you have to say, evidenced by their faulty strategy during the election cycle, which you have religiously condemned. So, in other words, your problem isn't with me. Your problem is with them. Take it up with them. And if you're gonna mention my name, can we cut out the profanity? Can we stop cussing? Can we stop acting like we're juveniles? You're better than that, sir. You're better than that. Geico's motorcycle expertise gives me the coverage I need.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Like 24.

[Nate Thompson]

7 claims I'm on cloud nine.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Disclaimer. Clouds are wholly unable to support the weight of an adult human.

[Nate Thompson]

What's happening?

[Daniel Jeremiah]

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[Greg Rosenthal]

What's up, everyone? It's Greg Rosenthal, and I'm teaming up with the King of Spring, Daniel Jeremiah. He requires me to say that we're going to be bringing you 40s and free agents, the only podcast you'll need this NFL draft season from DJ's Mock Drafts to my top 101 free agents will have it covered for you with all new episodes every Thursday keeping you up to date as we head to the NFL Draft. Listen to 40s and free agents starting on March 6th on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcast.