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 political consultant, author, and commentator known for his work strategizing for political candidates both in the U.S. and internationally. As a prominent Democrat, he is a center-left leaning pundit frequently appearing on cable news, podcasts, and public speaking engagements, offering his insights on U.S. elections and political affairs.

Sections (5)

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

1958: Gus Weill Opens Political Advertising Firm

In 1958, Gus Weill opened the first advertising firm specializing in political campaigns in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where Carville received his training in consulting.

1972: Political Job Distributing Negative Literature

In 1972, Carville's early political work involved distributing "hate sheets" with negative information on a political opponent for Ossie Bluege Brown's campaign for district attorney of East Baton Rouge Parish.

1979: End of Employment at Law Firm

In 1979, Carville concluded his time as an attorney at McKernnan, Beychok, Screen and Pierson, a law firm in Baton Rouge, where he had worked since 1973.

1984: Managed Lloyd Doggett's Campaign for Texas Senate

In 1984, Carville managed Lloyd Doggett's unsuccessful campaign for the Texas Senate seat, during which he met his consulting partner, Paul Begala. He advised Doggett to use a rubber vertebrae as a prop to attack Krueger.

1985: Consulted for Cathy Long's Special Election

In early 1985, Carville worked as a consultant to help Cathy Long win a special election to represent Louisiana's 8th congressional district after the death of her husband.

1986: Helped Bob Casey Sr. Win Election

In 1986, Carville helped Bob Casey Sr. win election as the 42nd Governor of Pennsylvania.

1987: Campaign Manager for Wallace Wilkinson

In 1987, Carville worked as a campaign manager to cast Kentucky businessman Wallace Wilkinson as an anti-establishment gubernatorial candidate.

1987: Appeared on WLEX-TV's "Your Government"

On September 25th, 1987, Carville appeared on WLEX-TV's "Your Government" program and implored reporters to look into the background of John Harper's family, which was followed by Harper's confirmation that his son had been shot and killed during a pharmacy robbery.

1988: Campaign Manager for Frank Lautenberg

In 1988, Carville served as campaign manager for New Jersey U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg during Lautenberg's successful re-election campaign.

1989: Assisted Zell Miller

In 1989, Carville assisted conservative Democrat Zell Miller in winning the state party's gubernatorial nomination.

August 1990: Miller Won the Nominating Contest

In August 1990, Miller won the nominating contest in the runoff against Young.

November 1990: Miller Defeated Johnny Isakson

In November 1990, Miller defeated Johnny Isakson in the general election.

1990: Assisted Zell Miller

In 1990, Carville assisted conservative Democrat Zell Miller in winning the state party's gubernatorial nomination.

1990: Consulted for Jim Mattox

In 1990, Carville consulted for Jim Mattox, who based his campaign on the claim that a state lottery would solve Texas' revenue needs.

June 1992: Criticism of Sister Souljah at Rainbow Coalition Conference

In June 1992, Carville orchestrated Clinton's criticism of hip hop artist Sister Souljah at the Rainbow Coalition's "Rebuild America" conference in Washington, D.C., creating a public war between Clinton and Jesse Jackson.

1992: Lead Strategist for Bill Clinton's Presidential Campaign

In 1992, Carville gained national attention as the lead strategist in Bill Clinton's successful presidential campaign.

1992: Helped Lead Bill Clinton to Presidential Win

In 1992, Carville played a significant role in leading Bill Clinton to victory against George H. W. Bush in the presidential election, utilizing populist rhetoric and a book titled "America: What Went Wrong?" by Donald L. Barlett and James B. Steele.

America: What Went Wrong?

Check it on Amazon

1992: Shielded Clinton from Gennifer Flowers' Allegations

In 1992, Carville sought to protect Clinton from Gennifer Flowers' allegations of an extramarital affair, accusing a supermarket tabloid of paying Flowers for her story and criticizing the media for "cash for trash" journalism.

1992: Keynote Speaker at Democratic National Convention

In 1992, Miller was a keynote speaker at the Democratic National Convention.

1992: National Attention for Wofford's Victory

In 1992, Wofford's surprise victory helped Carville gain national attention, leading to hopes that he could help the Democratic Party win the White House.

1992: Campaign Consultant Recognition

In 1992, campaign consultants were viewed by a small audience. Now they are public celebrities.

1992: Consulted for Richard Katz

In late 1992, Carville consulted for Richard Katz in his run for the 1993 Los Angeles mayoral election.

1993: Run for Los Angeles Mayor

In early 1993, Carville consulted for Richard Katz in his run for the open 1993 Los Angeles mayoral election, which was the first time in 63 years that an incumbent mayor didn't appear on the ballot. He did not advance to the general election.

1994: Consulted for Wofford's Re-election Campaign

In 1994, Carville consulted for Harris Wofford's re-election campaign, which resulted in a narrow defeat by Rick Santorum.

1994: Consulting for Fernando Henrique Cardoso

In 1994, James Carville consulted for Fernando Henrique Cardoso in his successful campaign for the Brazilian presidency.

November 1997: General Election in Honduras

In November 1997, Carlos Flores Facussé, who was advised by James Carville, faced Nora Gúnera de Melgar in the Honduran general election.

1997: Consulting for Carlos Flores Facussé

In 1997, James Carville consulted for Carlos Flores Facussé, then leader of the National Congress of Honduras, in his presidential campaign.

1998: Election of Jamil Mahuad Witt

In 1998, James Carville helped craft a successful strategy to elect Jamil Mahuad Witt as President of Ecuador.

1998: Advising PRD in Panama

In 1998, James Carville was retained by the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD) in Panama to advise in an election to re-elect President Ernesto Pérez Balladares, which was ultimately unsuccessful.

1998: Introduction to Duhalde

In January 1998, James Carville was introduced to Eduardo Duhalde by the U.S. Ambassador to Argentina, James Cheek.

1998: Consulting for Ehud Barak's Campaign

In late 1998, James Carville, along with Bob Shrum and Stanley Greenberg, consulted for Labor Party candidate Ehud Barak in preparation for the 1999 prime ministerial election.

October 1999: Duhalde Lost Election

In October 1999, Eduardo Duhalde, who was advised by James Carville, lost the general election to Fernando de la Rúa amid the Argentine Great Depression.

1999: Consulting for Eduardo Duhalde

In 1999, James Carville consulted for Eduardo Duhalde in his run for president of Argentina, charging $30,000 per month plus expenses.

1999: Refusal to comment on work outside the US

In 1999, James Carville declined to comment on any work he was doing outside the U.S. to a Los Angeles Times reporter.

1999: Consulting for Ehud Barak's Campaign

In early 1999, James Carville, along with Bob Shrum and Stanley Greenberg, consulted for Labor Party candidate Ehud Barak in preparation for the 1999 prime ministerial election.

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.

2001: Special Prime Ministerial Election in Israel

In 2001, Ehud Barak, who had been advised by James Carville during his election in 1999, called a special prime ministerial election in Israel.

2001: Work on Tony Blair's Re-election Campaign

In 2001, James Carville worked on the successful re-election campaign of Tony Blair, then Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

August 2002: Sanchez de Lozada Came to Power

In August 2002, Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada, who was advised by James Carville, came to power in Bolivia in a coalition government.

2002: Carville co-hosted CNN's Crossfire

From 2002, James Carville co-hosted CNN's "Crossfire" along with Paul Begala.

2002: Meeting with Arab Women Political Leaders

In 2002, James Carville and his wife, Mary Matalin, met with a group of 55 Arab women political leaders on behalf of the U.S. State Department during the 2002 United States midterm elections, as part of the "Women as Political Leaders" International Visitor Program.

2002: Strategizing for Sanchez de Lozada

In 2002, James Carville, through his firm Greenberg Carville Shrum (GCS), strategized in Bolivia on behalf of Revolutionary Nationalist Movement (MNR) party presidential candidate Gonzalo "Goni" Sánchez de Lozada.

2002: Duhalde Appointed President

In 2002, the Argentine Congress appointed Eduardo Duhalde, who was previously advised by James Carville in 1999, as president of Argentina.

2003: End of Duhalde's Presidency

In May 2003, Eduardo Duhalde's term as president of Argentina ended.

2003: Resignation of Lozada

In October 2003, Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada resigned and fled to exile in the United States following the 2003 Bolivian Gas Conflict. James Carville had advised Lozada in 2002.

2003: Advising Business Interests in Venezuela

In early 2003, James Carville advised Venezuelan business interests seeking to destabilize the government of Hugo Chávez.

September 2004: Kerry Engages Carville as Advisor

In September 2004, John Kerry engaged James Carville as an informal advisor to his 2004 presidential campaign.

2004: Crafted Strategy for John Kerry

In 2004, Carville had a principal role in crafting strategy for Massachusetts Senator John Kerry's unsuccessful presidential bid.

2004: Keynote Speaker at Republican National Convention

In 2004, Miller was a keynote speaker at the Republican National Convention.

2004: Public Speaking Engagements

In 2004, The New York Times reported that James Carville was giving over 100 speeches annually to various audiences, including business groups, colleges, universities, and Democratic Party fundraising events. In 2004, his speaker's fee was $20,500 per hour plus expenses.

2005: Crossfire's cancellation

In 2005, CNN's Crossfire was cancelled. James Carville co-hosted the show.

2005: Carville Taught at Northern Virginia Community College

In 2005, James Carville taught a semester of "Topics in American Politics" at Northern Virginia Community College, inviting guests like Al Hunt and George Stephanopoulos.

November 2006: Carville proposed a truce

In late November 2006, James Carville proposed a truce of sorts after criticizing Howard Dean's leadership of the Democratic National Committee.

2006: Santos Appointed Minister of Defence

In 2006, Alvaro Uribe, the then President, appointed Juan Manuel Santos as Colombia's Minister of Defence.

2006: Carville became a host on 60/20 Sports

In 2006, James Carville became a host on a sports radio show, 60/20 Sports, on XM Satellite Radio, with Luke Russert.

2006: Executive Producer of "All the King's Men"

In 2006, James Carville was the executive producer of the film "All the King's Men".

2007: Carville advised Daniel Scioli's campaign

In 2007, Carville acted as advisor for Daniel Scioli's campaign for the governor of Buenos Aires.

2007: Carville declared that Barack Obama was the Democratic candidate "most likely to explode or implode"

In 2007, James Carville declared that Barack Obama was the Democratic candidate "most likely to explode or implode."

May 13, 2008: Carville indicated Obama would likely be the nominee

On May 13, 2008, James Carville remarked that Obama would likely be the nominee, signaling a shift from his previously optimistic comments about Clinton's campaign.

2008: Crafted Strategy for Hillary Clinton

In 2008, Carville played a key role in developing the strategy for New York Senator Hillary Clinton's unsuccessful presidential campaign.

2008: Speculation on Clinton's Run

In 2008, Dick Morris speculated that Carville and Greenberg infiltrated Kerry's campaign to engineer his defeat and clear a path for Hillary Clinton to run.

2008: Carville advised Hillary Clinton

In 2008, James Carville advised Hillary Clinton during her presidential campaign.

March 4, 2009: Strategy to Cast Limbaugh as Face of Republican Party

On March 4, 2009, it was reported that James Carville, Paul Begala, and Rahm Emanuel were architects of the Democratic strategy to cast Rush Limbaugh as the face of the Republican Party.

July 2009: Carville Hired as Ghani Campaign Advisor

In July 2009, Ashraf Ghani, an Afghan presidential candidate, hired James Carville as a campaign advisor.

2009: Carville advises Ghani's presidential campaign

In 2009, James Carville advised Ashraf Ghani's presidential campaign in Afghanistan. Carville aimed to prevent Hamid Karzai from winning a majority, but Ghani only received 2.94% of the vote.

2009: Comments on International Campaigns

In 2009, James Carville commented that working on campaigns abroad was more lucrative and less risky than campaigns in the United States.

2009: Carville Predicted Peace Agreement

In January 2009, James Carville predicted a peace agreement between Israel and Syria within 18 months.

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.

August 2010: Santos Inaugurated as President of Colombia

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

2010: Netanyahu Participated in Secret Discussions

For several months in 2010, 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 as senior advisor to elect Juan Manuel Santos

In 2010, James Carville worked as a senior advisor to elect presidential candidate Juan Manuel Santos in Colombia.

2011: Carville advised Daniel Scioli's campaign

In 2011, Carville acted as advisor for Daniel Scioli's campaign for the governor of Buenos Aires.

2011: Carville Retained by Palantir Technologies

In 2011, James Carville was retained by Palantir Technologies as a paid advisor, facilitating their collaboration with the New Orleans Police Department.

2012: Foreign Affairs Piece on Early Political Jobs

In 2012, Carville wrote a piece for Foreign Affairs describing his early political job of distributing negative literature on a political opponent in 1972 during Brown's campaign for district attorney of East Baton Rouge Parish.

2013: Carville parted ways with CNN

In 2013, James Carville parted ways with CNN.

2015: Carville consulted for Daniel Scioli's presidential campaign

In 2015, Carville consulted for Daniel Scioli's unsuccessful presidential campaign.

January 2018: Carville Joined LSU Faculty

In January 2018, James Carville joined the faculty of Louisiana State University's Manship School of Mass Communication.

2019: Podcast Launch

In 2019, James Carville and Al Hunt launched the podcast.

2019: Carville Consulted for Halperin's Book

In 2019, James Carville consulted with Mark Halperin for his book, How to Beat Trump: America's Top Political Strategists on What It Will Take.

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

Check it on Amazon

January 2020: Carville endorsed Michael Bennet

In January 2020, James Carville endorsed Michael Bennet's campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination.

2020: Crafted Strategy for Michael Bennet

In 2020, Carville was involved in crafting the strategy for Colorado Senator Michael Bennet's unsuccessful run for the U.S. presidency.

2020: 2020 Politics War Room Podcast and MSNBC Appearances

In 2020, James Carville co-hosted the "2020 Politics War Room" podcast with Al Hunt. The podcast aimed to provide listeners with insights into the impeachment proceedings and the 2020 election. Throughout 2020, Carville also frequently appeared on MSNBC with Brian Williams to offer commentary on the 2020 Democratic debates, caucuses, primaries, and the overall election.

2022: Penn Progress Super Pac Support for Conor Lamb

In 2022, James Carville led the "Penn Progress" Super Pac, which spent all of its funds supporting Rep. Conor Lamb's campaign for the U.S. Senate seat left open by retiring Senator Pat Toomey. Conor Lamb worked closely with the Penn Progress SuperPac, and participated in donor calls arranged by Carville.

October 11, 2024: Theatrical Release of Carville Documentary

James Carville's biographical documentary film, "Carville: Winning Is Everything, Stupid!", had its theatrical release on October 11, 2024. The documentary was released after debuting at the 2024 Telluride Film Festival and covers the 18-month period where Carville persuaded Biden to end his re-election bid. Carville's position was later vindicated when Biden withdrew from the 2024 presidential race, Kamala Harris succeeded as Democratic nominee and eventually lost.