Career Timeline of James Carville: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of James Carville, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

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.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

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: 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.

America: What Went Wrong?

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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."

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."

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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.

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: 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.

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: 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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.

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.

January 2009: Carville Predicts Israel-Syria Peace Agreement

In January 2009, James Carville predicted a peace agreement between Israel and Syria within 18 months, anticipating it as a foreign policy priority for the incoming Obama administration.

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.

August 7, 2010: Santos Inaugurated as President

On August 7, 2010, Juan Manuel Santos was inaugurated as President of Colombia amidst a diplomatic crisis with Venezuela.

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.

November 2015: Scioli Defeated in Runoff Election

In November 2015, Daniel Scioli was defeated in a runoff election after allegations of vote-buying.

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 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.

How to Beat Trump: America's Top Political Strategists On What It Will Take

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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.

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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