“The reaction of some of Mr. Clinton’s allies suggests that might have been a wise decision. “An act of betrayal,” said James Carville, an adviser to Mrs. Clinton and a friend of Mr. Clinton.  “Mr. Richardson’s endorsement came right around the anniversary of the day when Judas sold out for 30 pieces of silver, so I think the timing is appropriate, if ironic,” Mr. Carville said, referring to Holy Week."

The New York Times, March 22, 2008.  Page 1. 

 Because I’ve been kicking around politics for the last 40 years, I am generally inured to the howls of partisans when things are going poorly for their candidate.   That being said,  I cannot pass on the remarks by James Carville, as quoted in the New York Times of March 22.

Carville is no stranger.  He kicked around politics for years as a political consultant who once retained had the tendency to pay only scant attention to the candidates who paid him.  Carville nonetheless hit a winning combination when his quirky personality and judgment, balanced nicely by the Rhodes Scholar and religious temperament of George Stephanopoulis and the quixotic campaign of Ross Perot, brought Bill Clinton to the White House.

Carville refused to join the White House and successfully cashed in on the pundit circuit.  By giving up the serious political work that can make the world better, he undertook a lucrative career as an outside the government cheerleader for then-President Clinton.  During this period, Carville demeaned anyone who criticized his patron and once famously characterized a clerical worker in Arkansas state government as “trailer trash” when she truthfully told her humiliating story of Governor Clinton’s inexcusable sexual advances.  

Carville is once again in full flight as de facto spokesperson for Sen. Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign.   While his remarks may pass as “just Carville being Carville”  among the largely secular political classes,  they are in reality deeply hurtful to millions of men and women of faith.   His Good Friday likening of Governor Richardson to Judas Iscariot arrogantly reveals the contempt he actually has for the people of our country that he allegedly loves. 

Carville’s continued presence in a public forum is no longer appropriate.   He should take his millions and disappear to commune with his like in some far off land where carnival hucksters go to amuse themselves.  Our First Amendment gives him the right to demean any religion he choses, but it does not mean that we have to listen to him.