Carville made the joke in light of the president's poll numbers. Carville to Obama: Try crack pipe

Democratic strategist James Carville said Monday in light of President Barack Obama’s declining poll numbers, maybe he should take a page from an infamous Canadian mayor.

“I think the best thing he can do is take a toke on the mayor of Toronto’s crack pipe, because his numbers are about 48,” Carville joked on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” referring to Rob Ford, who has admitted smoking crack.


On a more serious note, Carville said in some ways, the falling poll numbers are overblown, and Obama’s record speaks for itself.

( Also on POLITICO: Poll: Obama approval at 41 percent)

“I think we can stop putting the nails in the coffin here. We can admit that there’s some real, deep, fundamental problems with this president. But I think we’re throwing the dirt here too soon,” Carville said. “The deficit is dropping as a percentage of GDP faster than any time since World War II. He saved the auto industry. Health care costs are flattening better than any time in the last 20 years. Teenage pregnancy is at an all-time low.”

Carville said if the administration can get the health care exchanges working at the end of November, and that’s a big if, they could get things back on track.

( Also on POLITICO: 10 things to know about Rob Ford)

“I don’t think that the rollout has been a disaster. It’s been another joke,” Carville said. “I’m hoping, but I have no idea how this thing is going to work on Nov. 30, but they got a lot riding on it.”

Carville said he doesn’t blame Obama for the problems in Washington, pointing in part to Republicans who have moved far to the right in recent years.

“Obama’s problem, I think, is he’s a man in politics that doesn’t like politics,” Carville said.

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