Challenges in the Life of James Carville in a Detailed Timeline

Resilience and perseverance in the journey of James Carville. A timeline of obstacles and growth.

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

1978: John Harper's Son Killed

In 1978, John Harper's son was shot and killed by Franklin County, Ohio, police during a pharmacy robbery.

June 1984: Phil Gramm Emphasizes Family Values

In June 1984, during the general election, Phil Gramm emphasized family values, including his insistence at a prayer breakfast on "having people who believe in Christianity in charge of government," which Carville countered as antisemitic.

November 1984: Out of Work after Lloyd Doggett's Defeat

Following Lloyd Doggett's defeat in November 1984, Carville found himself out of work, facing financial insecurity and a lack of health insurance at the age of 40.

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.

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: Newsweek Feature on Carville's Academic Performance

In 1994, Newsweek featured Carville, who described himself as a poor student, accumulating 56 hours of failing grades before being dismissed from LSU.

October 1998: Hurricane Mitch Devastates Honduras

In October 1998, Hurricane Mitch devastated Honduras, leading to renegotiation of the country's external debt in exchange for structural adjustment policies.

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.

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: Civil Suit Filed by Flowers

In 1999, Gennifer Flowers brought a civil suit against Carville.

1999: Defamation Lawsuit by Gennifer Flowers

In 1999, Gennifer Flowers sued James Carville and George Stephanopoulos for defamation of character, alleging they ignored signs that tapes of her conversations with Bill Clinton were doctored.

January 2000: Military Coup in Ecuador

In January 2000, Jamil Mahuad, who was advised by James Carville in 1998, was forced from office in Ecuador following a military coup amid an economic crisis and austerity measures.

2000: Hillary Clinton Added to Defamation Lawsuit

In 2000, Gennifer Flowers added Hillary Clinton as a defendant in her defamation suit against James Carville and George Stephanopoulos.

December 2001: Resignation of De la Rúa

In December 2001, Fernando de la Rúa, who defeated Carville's client Duhalde in 1999, resigned during the December 2001 riots in Argentina.

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.

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: Dismissal of Defamation Case

In 2004, a federal district court dismissed Gennifer Flowers' defamation case against James Carville, George Stephanopoulos, and Hillary Clinton with summary judgment.

2006: Dismissal Affirmed

In 2006, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit affirmed the lower court's dismissal of Gennifer Flowers' defamation case, 14 years after the initial allegations.

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.

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.

2014: Conviction of Mahuad

In 2014, an Ecuadorian court convicted Jamil Mahuad, in absentia, of embezzlement during his time in office and sentenced him to twelve years in prison.

2015: Carville consulted for Daniel Scioli's presidential campaign

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

November 2020: Incorrect Election Prediction

In November 2020, James Carville predicted that the outcome of the presidential election would be known by 10 p.m. on election day. However, it took the Associated Press four additional days to declare the winner. Politico subsequently included Carville's prediction among "the most audacious, confident and spectacularly incorrect prognostication about the year".