Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to James Carville

A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving James Carville.

James Carville is an American Democratic political consultant and pundit. He is known for his frequent appearances on cable news programs, podcasts, and public speeches, where he provides commentary and analysis on U.S. elections and political events.

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

1972: Distributed "Hate Sheets" for Ossie Bluege Brown

During Ossie Bluege Brown's 1972 campaign for district attorney of East Baton Rouge Parish, James Carville distributed "hate sheets" with negative literature on a political opponent on Brown's behalf.

June 1984: Gramm's Prayer Breakfast

In June 1984, Phil Gramm held a prayer breakfast and insisted on "having people who believe in Christianity in charge of government," which Carville counter-punched as antisemitic during Doggett's campaign.

September 25, 1987: Carville's Imploration on "Your Government"

On September 25, 1987, James Carville appeared on WLEX-TV's "Your Government" and implored reporters to look into the background of Wilkinson's opponent John Harper's family, noting "there might be problems with some of Harper's children."

June 1992: Criticism of Sister Souljah

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., opening up a public war between Clinton and Jesse Jackson.

1992: Flowers' Allegations

In 1992, James Carville sought to shield Bill Clinton from Gennifer Flowers' allegations of an extramarital affair, alleging that a supermarket tabloid paid Flowers $175,000 for her story.

1997: Remarks on Paula Jones lawsuit

In 1997, in response to Paula Jones' civil lawsuit against Bill Clinton, James Carville made a controversial remark about trailer parks.

1999: Flowers brought a civil suit against Carville

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

1999: Defamation lawsuit by Gennifer Flowers

In 1999, Gennifer Flowers sued James Carville and George Stephanopoulos for defamation of character.

2000: Hillary Clinton named as defendant in lawsuit

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

November 15, 2006: Carville Blasts Howard Dean's Leadership

On November 15, 2006, following the Democratic victory in the midterm elections, James Carville criticized Democratic National Committee chair Howard Dean's leadership.

2007: Carville Declares Obama Most Likely to Implode

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

March 22, 2008: Carville Compares Bill Richardson to Judas Iscariot

On March 22, 2008, James Carville compared New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, who had endorsed Barack Obama, to Judas Iscariot, calling it "an act of betrayal."

May 2008: Carville Remarks on Hillary Clinton's Toughness

In May 2008, James Carville remarked that Hillary Clinton was a tougher candidate, insinuating that Hillary Clinton was a tougher candidate.

2008: Morris Speculates Carville Infiltration of Kerry Campaign

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

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

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

2010: Carville Criticizes Obama's Political Style

On November 18th, 2010, James Carville criticized Barack Obama's political style.

November 2013: Carville Comments on Obama's Approval Poll Numbers

In November 2013, James Carville commented on President Barack Obama's declining approval poll numbers, making a controversial statement.

November 2015: Scioli Defeated in Presidential Runoff

In November 2015, Daniel Scioli, for whom Carville consulted, was defeated in a runoff election for the Argentinian presidency. The election featured allegations of vote-buying.

2017: Santos Acknowledges Illegal Campaign Payments

In 2017, Juan Manuel Santos acknowledged that his 2010 campaign received illegal payments from the Brazilian conglomerate Odebrecht.

February 2020: Criticism of Bernie Sanders

During media appearances in February 2020, James Carville voiced his disapproval of Bernie Sanders' rise in the polls, labeling Sanders a "communist" and his supporters a "cult." He cautioned about the potential "end of days" if Sanders were to secure the Democratic nomination. Carville also spoke against progressive Democratic policies like student loan debt forgiveness and allowing "people voting from jail cells," as well as opposing the ban on hydraulic fracking for shale gas.

February 2020: Suggestion to Jettison Democratic Primaries

In February 2020, James Carville suggested that the Democratic Party should jettison the presidential primaries and caucuses. He proposed that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi should select the Democratic Party's presidential and vice-presidential candidates, and suggested Mitt Romney should resign from the Senate and run the Democratic convention. Carville also mentioned he might write in Nancy Pelosi's name when he votes in Louisiana.

November 2020: Presidential 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. However, it took the Associated Press an additional four days to declare the winner, leading Politico to include Carville's prediction in a list of "the most audacious, confident and spectacularly incorrect prognostications about the year".

June 27, 2024: Calls for Biden to End Re-election Bid

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. He stated in an interview on July 1, "The country wants something new. Let them have it."

2024: Comments on Democrats' Political Culture

Ahead of the 2024 presidential election, James Carville argued in an interview with Maureen Dowd that the Democrats' political culture had become "too dominated by preachy females," which he claimed contributed to Democrats' decreasing support among black male voters.