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 occasional actor known for his work strategizing for political candidates both in the United States and internationally. As a prominent Democrat, he is a frequent commentator on U.S. elections, appearing on cable news, podcasts, and giving public speeches. He is a well-known pundit in U.S. politics.

Sections (5)

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

June 1984: Doggett's Campaign against Phil Gramm

During the general election, Doggett's opponent, Phil Gramm, leveraged vicious identity-based attacks on Doggett. On one occasion, Doggett returned the small dollar fundraising he received from a gay rights group. Gramm emphasized themes of "family values," including his insistence at a June 1984 prayer breakfast on "having people who believe in Christianity in charge of government," and Carville counter-punched that theme as antisemitic.

November 1984: Unemployment

In November 1984, after Doggett's defeat, James Carville was unemployed and without health insurance or money.

1984: Acquaintance with Paul Begala and Lloyd Doggett's Campaign

In 1984, James Carville became acquainted with his consulting partner Paul Begala when Carville managed then-Texas state legislator Lloyd Doggett's unsuccessful campaign for the open Texas Senate seat. Carville coached Doggett on using a rubber vertebrae exhibit as a prop to attack Krueger as a political flip flopper.

1993: Katz Los Angeles Mayoral Election

In 1993, Richard Katz ran in Los Angeles mayoral election, which was the first time in 63 years that an incumbent mayor didn't appear on the ballot. Despite retaining James Carville, Katz finished behind three other candidates, garnering 9.73% of the total votes cast, and did not advance to the general election.

1994: Democrats lose control of Congress

Democrats lost control of both houses of Congress for the first time since the 1994 election.

1994: Consultation for Wofford's Re-election Campaign

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

1999: Defamation Lawsuit Filed 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: Forced From Office in Military Coup

In January 2000, amid an economic crisis, Jamil Mahuad was forced from office in a military coup and fled to exile in the United States.

2000: Hillary Clinton Named in Lawsuit

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

October 2004: Kerry's campaign faces external events

In October 2004, Carville and colleagues sought to place blame on external events including news media coverage of the Iraq War and the October 2004 Osama bin Laden video for Kerry's struggling campaign.

2004: Strategist for John Kerry's Presidential Campaign

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

2004: Case Dismissed with Summary Judgment

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

2006: Dismissal Affirmed by Court of Appeals

In 2006, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit affirmed the lower court's dismissal of Gennifer Flowers' defamation case against James Carville and others.

2008: Strategist for Hillary Clinton's Presidential Campaign

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

2014: Conviction for 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, and Interpol issued a warrant for his arrest.

November 2015: Scioli defeated in presidential run-off

In November 2015, Daniel Scioli, for whom Carville consulted, was defeated in a run-off election amidst allegations of vote-buying.

2020: Strategist for Michael Bennet's Presidential Campaign

In 2020, James Carville played a principal role in crafting strategy for Colorado senator Michael Bennet's unsuccessful Democratic Party presidential campaign.