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 and author known for strategizing for political candidates both in the United States and internationally. As a prominent Democrat, he frequently appears as a political pundit on cable news, podcasts, and in public speeches, offering his analysis on U.S. elections. He has also worked as an actor occasionally.

Sections (5)

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

November 1984: Doggett's Defeat

In November 1984, Lloyd Doggett was defeated in the general election for the Texas Senate seat. After the defeat, Carville found himself out of work, scared and without health insurance or money.

1992: Gennifer Flowers Allegations

In 1992, James Carville worked to protect Bill Clinton from Gennifer Flowers' allegations of an extramarital affair, which surfaced before the New Hampshire primary. Carville criticized the media for reporting the story and alleged Flowers was paid for sharing her story.

1993: Katz's Mayoral Election Loss

In 1993, despite retaining James Carville and spending a million dollars on campaign television commercials, Richard Katz finished behind three other candidates in the Los Angeles mayoral election and did not advance to the general election.

1994: Consultation for Wofford's Re-election

In 1994, James Carville consulted for Harris Wofford's re-election campaign, but Wofford was narrowly defeated by Republican Rick Santorum.

1997: Paula Jones Lawsuit Remark

In 1997, during the Paula Jones civil lawsuit against Bill Clinton, James Carville made a controversial remark about dragging a hundred dollars through a trailer park. The remark was later referenced by Lindsey Graham during Brett Kavanaugh's SCOTUS confirmation hearings in 2018.

1998: Advising Ernesto Pérez Balladares

In 1998, James Carville was retained by the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD) in Panama as their main advisor, to help re-elect President Ernesto Pérez Balladares, who was term-limited, during an election where opposition figures suggested the Clinton Administration favored his re-election. The proposal to lift the term limit was defeated despite significant spending.

October 1999: Duhalde Loses Election to de la Rúa

In October 1999, amidst the Argentine Great Depression, Eduardo Duhalde lost the general election to Fernando de la Rúa of the Radical Civic Union party, who was advised by Dick Morris.

1999: Defamation Lawsuit

In 1999, Gennifer Flowers initiated a civil suit against James Carville, claiming defamation of character due to his handling of her allegations against Bill Clinton.

1999: Defamation Lawsuit by Gennifer Flowers

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

January 2000: Mahuad Forced from Office

In January 2000, Jamil Mahuad Witt, who was helped by James Carville in the 1998 election, was forced from office in a military coup following economic crisis and austerity measures. Mahuad then fled to exile in the United States.

2000: Hillary Clinton Named as Defendant

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

December 2001: De la Rúa Resigns During Riots

In December 2001, Fernando de la Rúa resigned as president of Argentina during widespread riots.

April 2002: Unsuccessful Coup Attempt in Venezuela

In April 2002, an unsuccessful coup attempt occurred in Venezuela.

October 2003: Lozada Resigns and Flees to Exile

In October 2003, Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada resigned as President of Bolivia and fled to exile in the United States following the 2003 Bolivian Gas Conflict.

2004: Strategist for John Kerry

In 2004, James Carville played a principal role in crafting strategy for Massachusetts senator John Kerry's unsuccessful presidential campaign.

2004: Dismissal of Lawsuit

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

2006: Appeal Dismissal Affirmed

In 2006, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit upheld the lower court's dismissal of Gennifer Flowers' defamation lawsuit against James Carville and George Stephanopoulos.

2008: Strategist for Hillary Clinton

In 2008, James Carville played a principal role in crafting strategy for New York Senator Hillary Clinton's unsuccessful presidential campaign.

2014: Mahuad Convicted of Embezzlement

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. 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 James Carville consulted for his unsuccessful presidential campaign.

November 2020: Prediction on the presidential election result

In November 2020, James Carville predicted that the result of the presidential election would be known by 10 p.m. on election day, a prediction that Politico later called "spectacularly incorrect".