Democratic strategist James Carville said Saturday that most political observers are expecting his party to lose the Senate to the Republicans this fall, but he wasn't going that far yet.
"Most of the prognosticators say yes, and some say not so fast. I wouldn't," he told former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee on his Fox News program.
"If the Republicans don't win in states like Arkansas or Louisiana or North Carolina or South Dakota or Montana or West Virginia, then you are going to have to rethink your whole party," Carville said. "I think it's going to be still yet undecided — but right now, most people say Republicans."
The Republicans need only six seats to win back the Senate in the November congressional elections, and several Democrats are seeking re-election in tough battles against Republicans.
For instance, Alaska Sen. Mark Begich is facing former state Attorney General Dan Sullivan, and North Carolina Sen. Kay Hagan is battling state Speaker Thom Tillis.
In Carville's home state, Louisiana, Sen. Mary Landrieu is squaring off against several GOP challengers, the strongest being state Rep. Bill Cassidy, a Baton Rouge doctor.
In fact, President Barack Obama caved in to Democratic fears about losing the upper chamber on Saturday and delayed his planned executive actions on illegal immigration until after the midterms.
Republicans slammed the move, with
House Speaker John Boehner saying it "smacks of raw politics."
In his Fox interview, Carville reminded Huckabee that sitting presidents of both parties have lost at least one congressional chamber of their party while in year six at the White House.
"Remember that President Reagan had a terrible 1986," he began. "Democrats took the Senate back at six years, with the exception of President Clinton. President [George W.] Bush lost the House in the sixth year of his presidency.
"This is not unusual at all. And this is not unusual they would have a bad year," he said, referring to the Democrats. "Combine that with the map which is favoring the Republicans — and look to 2016, the map will favor the Democrats.
"If the Republicans don't take it back, there will be unhappy campers in your party," he told Huckabee, who is considering a GOP run for the White House in 2016.
Referring to the Louisiana race, Carville — who is from New Orleans and is backing Landrieu — described it as "a tight race. And this thing will go down to the wire."
He blasted as "frivolous" a lawsuit filed by another Landrieu GOP challenger, state Rep. Paul Hollis, claiming the three-term senator did not meet residency qualifications because she lived primarily in Washington.
A
state court judge dismissed the lawsuit on Friday.
"I am passionate for Mary Landrieu," Carville said. "And I think it is a tight race. I would say that to her and to you."