'A political piñata': Carville explains why Dem lawmakers should actually want George Santos in Congress

Democratic political strategist James Carville recently highlighted the benefits of Rep. George Santos (R-NY) being in Congress and how his checkered past might actually be advantageous for Democrats.

On Tuesday, January 10, MSNBC News' "11th Hour," Stephanie Ruhle featured a clip of Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY) as he challenged House Republican lawmakers to bring Santos before the House Ethics Committee since they now control the chamber.

“We haven’t seen a single movement on the part of Republican leadership,” he said on Tuesday. “George Santos needs to be held accountable for his lies.”

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When the segment shifted, Ruhle greeted Carville and asked his opinion on how Republicans could resolve the ongoing issues surrounding Santos. “How do Republicans solve a problem called George Santos?” she asked.

Carville began by raising questions about Santos' citizenship. The lawmaker, whose parents are originally from Brazil, has been at the center of many falsehoods and scandals.

“I’d like to see the guy’s passport,” Carville responded. “How do we know that he’s a citizen? I mean, maybe he is and maybe he has a [U.S.] passport, but I haven’t seen it.”

U.S. Constitutional laws surrounding citizenship require "a member of the House be a U.S. citizen for at least seven years upon taking office," Mediaite reports.

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“The second thing is, I think he is just a perfect instrument to expose the rot that is the modern Republican Party,” Carville continued. “And I think Congressman Goldman and all of them should just keep hammering away.”

Carville went on to explain why Santos might actually be beneficial for Democratic lawmakers as he offered a suggestion for how he could be used to their advantage.

"Just use him as a political piñata and just keep hitting it and hitting it and hitting it," Carville said. And keep asking Republicans, “'Let’s see a passport. What about this? What about that?' I think he’s more valuable there than he is gone. I really do."

“That is truly sick,” Ruhle replied. “It may be true, but it’s sick.”

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