History of James Carville in Timeline
James Carville is an American Democratic political consultant, author, and commentator known for his strategic work in numerous U.S. elections and campaigns in over 20 countries. He is a prominent pundit, offering his insights on cable news, podcasts, and public speaking engagements. His expertise and outspoken commentary have made him a recognized figure in American politics and media.
4 hours ago : Carville Urges Omar's Exit Amidst Democratic Rift Over 'Attacking White Men'.
James Carville suggested Ilhan Omar leave the Democratic Party following her remarks about 'attacking white men.' He believes Democrats need white male voters to win. This stance is controversial and sparked debate.
1969: Santos Attends University of Kansas
In 1969, Juan Manuel Santos attended the University of Kansas for undergraduate studies.
1973: Santos Graduates from the University of Kansas
In 1973, Juan Manuel Santos graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in economics and business.
1975: Military coup removes president Oswaldo López Arellano
In 1975, General Juan Alberto Melgar Castro seized power in a coup, removing then president Oswaldo López Arellano after his bananagate bribery scandal with United Fruit Company.
1977: Ghani Earns Master's Degree
In 1977, Ashraf Ghani earned his master's degree from Columbia University.
1981: Santos is Fulbright visiting fellow at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy
In 1981, Juan Manuel Santos returned to the U.S. as Fulbright visiting fellow at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and also earned a master's degree from Harvard Kennedy School.
1988: Santos Lectures as a Nieman Fellow at Harvard University
In 1988, Juan Manuel Santos lectured as a Nieman Fellow at Harvard University.
June 1992: Clinton criticizes Sister Souljah at Rainbow Coalition conference
In June 1992, James Carville orchestrated Bill Clinton's criticism of hip hop artist Sister Souljah at the Rainbow Coalition's "Rebuild America" conference in Washington, D.C. Clinton's remarks opened up a public war between Clinton and Jesse Jackson.
1992: Flowers alleges affair with Clinton
In 1992, Gennifer Flowers alleged an affair with Bill Clinton, who was James Carville's client at the time.
1992: Carville helps Clinton win the presidential election
In 1992, James Carville played a key role in Bill Clinton's victory against George H.W. Bush in the presidential election. He used populist rhetoric, referencing articles by Donald L. Barlett and James B. Steele from The Philadelphia Inquirer, later compiled into the book "America: What Went Wrong?". Clinton effectively used the book as a prop during a time of economic recession.
1992: Carville Addresses Gennifer Flowers' Allegations
In 1992, James Carville worked to shield Bill Clinton from Gennifer Flowers' allegations of an extramarital affair, which surfaced before the New Hampshire Democratic primary. Carville claimed Flowers was paid $175,000 by a supermarket tabloid and criticized the media for "cash for trash" journalism.
1992: Early Career
In 1992, Joe Lockhart characterized Carville as "a multimedia corporation, and he's been smart about it. He is a model of the future. This could not have happened pre-1992 when campaign consultants were viewed by a small audience. Now they are public celebrities."
November 1993: Marriage to Mary Matalin
In November 1993, James Carville married political consultant Mary Matalin in New Orleans.
1993: Carville honored as Campaign District Manager of the Year
In 1993, James Carville was recognized as Campaign District Manager of the Year by the American Association of Political Consultants. His contributions to the Clinton campaign were featured in the Academy Award-nominated film, "The War Room."
1994: Democrats Lost Control of Congress
Democrats lost control of both houses of Congress for the first time since the 1994 election.
1994: Carville consults for Fernando Henrique Cardoso's presidential campaign
In 1994, James Carville consulted for Fernando Henrique Cardoso in his successful campaign for the Brazilian presidency. Cardoso's administration liquidated public assets and deepened privatization.
November 1997: Carlos Flores Facussé wins the general election
In November 1997, Carlos Flores Facussé won the general election, defeating Nora Gúnera de Melgar, whose campaign was aided by Dick Morris.
1997: Carville Consults for Carlos Flores Facussé in Honduras
In 1997, James Carville consulted for Carlos Flores Facussé, the leader of the National Congress of Honduras, in his presidential campaign.
1997: Carville makes controversial remark about Paula Jones
In 1997, James Carville made an infamous remark regarding Paula Jones' sexual harassment claims against Bill Clinton, stating, "Drag a hundred dollars through a trailer park and there's no telling what you'll find."
January 1998: Carville introduced to Eduardo Duhalde
In January 1998, James Carville was introduced to Eduardo Duhalde by the U.S. Ambassador to Argentina, James Cheek.
1998: Carville crafts strategy to elect Jamil Mahuad as President of Ecuador
In 1998, James Carville helped to craft a successful strategy to elect Jamil Mahuad Witt as President of Ecuador. Mahuad emphasized his educational background at Harvard Kennedy School during the campaign.
1998: Carville advises PRD in Panama for Pérez Balladares' re-election
In 1998, the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD) in Panama retained James Carville as their main adviser to help re-elect then term-limited President Ernesto Pérez Balladares. However, the proposal to lift his term limit was defeated by a margin of almost 2 to 1.
1998: Carville consults for Ehud Barak's campaign
In late 1998, James Carville consulted for Labor Party candidate Ehud Barak to help him prepare for the 1999 prime ministerial election. This was at the suggestion of President Clinton.
May 1999: Carville consults for Eduardo Duhalde's presidential campaign
In May 1999, James Carville consulted for Buenos Aires Province Governor Eduardo Duhalde in his run for president of Argentina as the Justicialist Party nominee.
October 1999: Duhalde lost general election
In October 1999, Eduardo Duhalde lost the general election to Fernando de la Rúa of the Radical Civic Union party amidst the Argentine Great Depression. Dick Morris, a political consultant, advised de la Rúa.
1999: Flowers sues Carville for defamation
In 1999, Gennifer Flowers initiated a civil suit against James Carville, alleging defamation of character due to his handling of her allegations of an affair with Bill Clinton.
1999: Flowers sues Carville and Stephanopoulos for defamation
In 1999, Gennifer Flowers sued James Carville and his colleague George Stephanopoulos for defamation of character, alleging they ignored warning signs that news media reporting did not conclusively determine that tapes of her recorded telephone conversations with Clinton were "doctored."
1999: Carville declines to comment on work outside the U.S.
In 1999, James Carville remarked to a Los Angeles Times reporter that he would not comment on any of his work outside the U.S., reflecting his preference for privacy regarding his international consulting activities.
1999: Carville helps Ehud Barak prepare for election
In early 1999, James Carville, along with Bob Shrum and Stanley Greenberg, consulted for Labor Party candidate Ehud Barak to help him prepare for the 1999 prime ministerial election in Israel.
January 2000: Mahuad forced from office in military coup
In January 2000, Jamil Mahuad was forced from office in a military coup in Ecuador following demonstrations due to an economic crisis and austerity measures. He fled to exile in the United States.
2000: Hillary Clinton named as defendant in defamation suit
In 2000, Gennifer Flowers additionally named Hillary Clinton as a defendant in the defamation suit against James Carville and George Stephanopoulos, with Larry Klayman of Judicial Watch representing her.
2000: Sponsorship with Playboy and Captain Morgan
In 2000, through Chlopak, Leonard, Schechter & Associates (CLS), James Carville enjoyed a sponsorship with Playboy media and Captain Morgan rum, which included a trip to Hugh Hefner's Playboy mansion.
December 2001: De la Rúa Resigns
In December 2001, Fernando de la Rúa resigned as president of Argentina during the December 2001 riots.
2001: Barak calls a special prime ministerial election
After serving for over two years, Ehud Barak called a special prime ministerial election in 2001.
2001: Carville works on Tony Blair's campaign
In 2001, James Carville contributed to the successful re-election campaign of Tony Blair, then Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
January 2002: Duhalde Appointed President
In January 2002, the Argentine Congress appointed Eduardo Duhalde as president of Argentina following the resignation of Adolfo Rodríguez Saá.
April 2002: Unsuccessful coup attempt in Venezuela
In April 2002, An unsuccessful coup attempt took place in Venezuela.
August 2002: Sánchez de Lozada Comes to Power
In August 2002, Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada came to power in Bolivia, forming a coalition government after garnering a plurality of votes against Evo Morales.
2002: Carville Co-Hosts Crossfire
From 2002, James Carville co-hosted CNN's Crossfire with Paul Begala.
2002: Carville meets with Arab women political leaders
In 2002, James Carville and his wife, Mary Matalin, participated in the "Women as Political Leaders" International Visitor (IV) Program on behalf of the U.S. State Department, meeting with 55 Arab women political leaders during the United States midterm elections.
2002: Carville proposes propaganda campaign in Arab and Muslim nations
In 2002, James Carville suggested to the US government that he visit Arab and Muslim nations to conduct "some kind of propaganda", to provide an alternative to hopelessness and terrorism.
2002: Carville Strategizes for Sánchez de Lozada
In 2002, James Carville, through his firm Greenberg Carville Shrum (GCS), strategized in Bolivia for Gonzalo "Goni" Sánchez de Lozada, the presidential candidate of the Revolutionary Nationalist Movement (MNR) party, who faced a challenge from Evo Morales.
May 2003: End of Duhalde's Presidency
In May 2003, Eduardo Duhalde's term as president of Argentina came to an end.
October 2003: Lozada Resigns and Flees to Exile
In October 2003, Gonzalo Lozada resigned as president of Bolivia and fled to exile in the United States following the 2003 Bolivian Gas Conflict.
2003: Carville Advises Venezuelan Business Interests
In 2003, James Carville worked in Venezuela as an advisor to Venezuelan business interests who had previously led an economically devastating strike in the spring of 2002 by managers of the national oil company, Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PDVSA), in an effort to destabilize Hugo Chávez's government.
September 2004: Kerry Enlists Carville as Advisor
In September 2004, John Kerry enlisted James Carville as an informal advisor to his 2004 presidential campaign after conversations with Bill Clinton.
October 2004: External Events Blamed for Kerry's Loss
In October 2004, after Kerry's loss, James Carville and colleagues sought to blame external events, including news media coverage of the Iraq War and the Osama bin Laden video, for the defeat.
2004: Public Speaking Engagements
In 2004, The New York Times noted that James Carville was making more than 100 speeches per year to various audiences and that he was represented exclusively by the Washington Speakers Bureau, with a speaker's fee of $20,500 to get him to the podium for an hour, plus first-class expenses and top accommodations.
2004: Federal district court dismisses Flowers' defamation case
In 2004, a federal district court dismissed Gennifer Flowers' defamation case against James Carville and others with summary judgment. Larry Klayman appealed the decision on Flowers' behalf.
2005: Crossfire Cancelled
In 2005, CNN's Crossfire, co-hosted by James Carville, was cancelled.
2005: Carville Teaches at Northern Virginia Community College
In 2005, James Carville taught a semester of "Topics in American Politics" at Northern Virginia Community College, featuring guests like Al Hunt and George Stephanopoulos.
2005: Our Brand Is Crisis Documentary Released
In 2005, the documentary film Our Brand Is Crisis was released, portraying James Carville's work for Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada in Bolivia.
September 2006: Carville Comments on Chávez
In September 2006, James Carville stated he would be reluctant to call Hugo Chávez a democrat, referencing his work in Venezuela advising business interests seeking to destabilize Chávez's government after an unsuccessful coup attempt.
November 15, 2006: Carville Blasts Dean's Leadership
On November 15, 2006, James Carville criticized Democratic National Committee chair Howard Dean's leadership as "Rumsfeldian in its incompetence" and called for his ouster.
November 2006: Carville Proposes a Truce
In late November 2006, James Carville proposed a truce of sorts following his criticism of Howard Dean's leadership of the Democratic National Committee.
2006: Carville Hosts Sports Radio Show
In 2006, James Carville became a host on a sports radio show, 60/20 Sports, on XM Satellite Radio, with Luke Russert.
2006: Carville Executive Produces Film
In 2006, James Carville was the executive producer of the film All the King's Men, starring Sean Penn and Anthony Hopkins.
2006: Court of Appeals affirms dismissal of Flowers' suit
In 2006, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit upheld the lower court's dismissal of Gennifer Flowers' defamation case, 14 years after the initial allegations of an affair with Bill Clinton.
2006: Santos Appointed Minister of Defence
In 2006, then President Alvaro Uribe appointed Juan Manuel Santos as Colombia's Minister of Defence.
2007: Carville Advises Scioli in Gubernatorial Campaign
In 2007, James Carville advised Daniel Scioli's campaign for governor of Buenos Aires.
2007: Carville on Obama's Candidacy
In 2007, James Carville stated that Barack Obama was the Democratic candidate "most likely to explode or implode."
March 22, 2008: Carville Compares Richardson to Judas
On March 22, 2008, James Carville compared New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson to Judas Iscariot for endorsing Barack Obama, calling it "an act of betrayal."
May 13, 2008: Carville Comments on Obama's Nomination
On May 13, 2008, James Carville remarked that Obama would likely be the nominee, marking a shift from his optimistic comments about Clinton's campaign.
May 2008: Comment on Hillary Clinton's Candidacy
In May 2008, James Carville remarked to political journalist Eleanor Clift during the primaries, insinuating that Hillary Clinton was a tougher candidate and saying, "If she gave him one of her cojones, they'd both have two."
2008: Carville Advised Hillary Clinton During Campaign
In 2008, James Carville advised Hillary Clinton during her presidential campaign.
2008: Relocation to New Orleans
In 2008, James Carville and Mary Matalin relocated their family from Virginia to New Orleans.
2008: Morris Speculates Carville's Infiltration
In 2008, rival political consultant Dick Morris speculated that James Carville and Stanley Greenberg infiltrated John Kerry's 2004 campaign to engineer his defeat and clear a path for Hillary Clinton to run in 2008.
March 4, 2009: Carville Involved in Strategy Against Limbaugh
On March 4, 2009, Politico reported that James Carville, Paul Begala, and Rahm Emanuel were key figures in the Democratic Party's strategy to cast Rush Limbaugh as the face of the Republican Party.
July 2009: Ghani Hires Carville as Advisor
In July 2009, Ashraf Ghani, an Afghan presidential candidate, hired James Carville as a campaign advisor. Ghani had renounced his US citizenship to run for president.
2009: Carville Advises Ghani in Afghan Election
In 2009, James Carville advised Ashraf Ghani in the Afghan presidential election, aiming to prevent Hamid Karzai from winning a majority of votes and force a second round. Carville called the election "probably the most important election held in the world in a long time."
2009: Carville discusses financial incentives for working on campaigns abroad
In 2009, James Carville explained that he found working on campaigns abroad more commercially lucrative and with less reputational risk than campaigns in the United States.
June 20, 2010: Santos Elected President of Colombia
On June 20, 2010, Juan Manuel Santos was elected as President of Colombia after two rounds of voting, following Carville's assistance in analyzing voter polls and crafting a winning strategy.
2010: Secret Discussions Toward a Peace Treaty
For several months in 2010, then Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu participated in secret, American-brokered discussions with Syria toward a peace treaty based on a full Israeli withdrawal from the Golan Heights.
2010: Carville Advises Juan Manuel Santos
In 2010, James Carville worked as a senior advisor to Juan Manuel Santos in Colombia's presidential election.
2010: Comments on Obama's Political Style
On November 18th, 2010, James Carville spoke to an audience at a Christian Science Monitor breakfast and remarked: "If Hillary gave up one of her balls and gave it to Obama, he'd have two."
2011: Carville advises Scioli in 2011's campaigns for the governor of Buenos Aires
In 2011, James Carville advised Daniel Scioli's campaign for governor of Buenos Aires.
2011: Advising Palantir Technologies
In 2011, James Carville was retained by Palantir Technologies as a paid advisor. He was instrumental in bringing about Palantir's collaboration with the New Orleans Police Department to quietly deploy predictive policing software in New Orleans.
November 2013: Comments on Obama's Declining Poll Numbers
In November 2013, James Carville commented on President Barack Obama's declining approval poll numbers, saying, "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."
2013: Carville Leaves CNN
In 2013, James Carville parted ways with CNN, where he had been a contributor.
2014: Ecuadorian court convicts Mahuad of embezzlement
In 2014, an Ecuadorian court convicted Jamil Mahuad, in absentia, of embezzlement during his time in office, sentencing him to twelve years in prison. Interpol issued a warrant for his arrest.
November 2015: Scioli Defeated in Runoff Election
In November 2015, Daniel Scioli was defeated in a runoff election after allegations of vote-buying.
2015: Our Brand is Crisis (narrative form) Film Released
In 2015, the narrative form film Our Brand is Crisis was released, inspired by the 2005 documentary about James Carville's work in Bolivia.
2017: Santos Acknowledges Illegal Campaign Payments
In 2017, Juan Manuel Santos acknowledged that his 2010 campaign received illegal payments from the Brazilian conglomerate Odebrecht.
January 2018: Joining the Faculty of Louisiana State University
In January 2018, James Carville joined the faculty of Louisiana State University's Manship School of Mass Communication. His work at the Manship School was supported by philanthropic gifts. He has also lectured in political science at Tulane University.
October 2018: Carville responds to Lindsey Graham referencing his trailer park line
During an October 2018 interview with Michael Smerconish on CNN, James Carville addressed Lindsey Graham's reference to his "drag $100" remark, stating that he was "making a joke" at the time and feels "complimented" when people use his lines.
October 21, 2018: Participation at PoltiCon 2018
On October 21, 2018, James Carville participated with Fox News pundit Tucker Carlson at the 2018 PoltiCon in Los Angeles in "A conversation with Eddie Izzard", an event chaired by the British comedian.
2019: Launch of the Podcast
In 2019, James Carville and Al Hunt launched the podcast.
2019: Consultation for Mark Halperin's book
In 2019, political pundit Mark Halperin consulted with James Carville for his upcoming book, How to Beat Trump: America's Top Political Strategists on What It Will Take. Carville addressed concerns of Halperin's sexual assault victims, stating he spoke to Halperin on a topic he cared about.
January 2020: Endorsement of Michael Bennet's Presidential Campaign
In January 2020, James Carville endorsed Colorado Senator Michael Bennet's ultimately unsuccessful campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination. Carville appeared on stage with Bennet and remarked, "This is John Kennedy recloned, you can't get any better than this guy!"
February 2020: Suggestion to Change Democratic Primary Process
In February 2020, James Carville suggested jettisoning the Democratic presidential primaries and caucuses, letting House Speaker Nancy Pelosi select the Democratic Party's presidential and vice-presidential candidates. He also suggested Mitt Romney should "resign from the Senate to save the Democratic Party's ass, and run our convention."
February 2020: Criticism of Bernie Sanders
In February 2020, amid Bernie Sanders' rise in the polls, James Carville expressed his displeasure at the prospect of Sanders being nominated, branded Sanders as a "communist", and warned of the "end of days" if Sanders were to win the Democratic nomination. He also railed against progressive policy positions like student loan debt forgiveness.
November 2020: Incorrect Election Prediction
In November 2020, James Carville predicted that the result of the presidential election would be known by 10 p.m. on election day. This prediction was later recognized by Politico as one of the most spectacularly incorrect prognostications about the year.
2020: Launch of Podcast and MSNBC Appearances
In 2020, James Carville entered the podcast business, co-hosting 2020 Politics War Room with Al Hunt. He also made frequent appearances with Brian Williams on MSNBC to comment on the 2020 Democratic debates, caucuses, and primaries.
May 2021: Sale of Uptown New Orleans House
In May 2021, James Carville sold his house in Uptown New Orleans and temporarily relocated to Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.
2022: Leading Penn Progress Super PAC
In 2022, James Carville led the "Penn Progress" Super PAC, which supported Representative Conor Lamb's bid for the U.S. Senate. The Super PAC bankrolled TV ads which sought to portray one of Lamb's primary opponents, Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman as a "self-described democratic socialist".
June 27, 2024: Criticism of Biden's Debate Performance
Following U.S. President Joe Biden's poor performance during the June 27, 2024, debate, James Carville was among those who called for Biden to end his bid for re-election.
October 11, 2024: Theatrical Release of Documentary Film
On October 11, 2024, James Carville's biographical documentary film Carville: Winning Is Everything, Stupid! received a theatrical release. The film debuted at the 2024 Telluride Film Festival.
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