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 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

1972: Distributing "Hate Sheets"

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

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.

September 25, 1987: Appearance on WLEX-TV's "Your Government"

On September 25, 1987, James Carville appeared on WLEX-TV's "Your Government" public affairs program 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., which opened up a public war between Clinton and Jesse Jackson.

1992: Shielding Clinton from Gennifer Flowers' Allegations

In 1992, James Carville sought to shield Bill Clinton from Gennifer Flowers' allegations of an extramarital sexual affair. Carville alleged that a supermarket tabloid paid Flowers $175,000 for sharing her story, and berated reporters with charges of "cash for trash" journalism.

1997: Response to Paula Jones Lawsuit

In 1997, in response to Paula Jones's civil lawsuit against Bill Clinton, James Carville made a controversial remark about dragging a hundred dollars through a trailer park.

1999: Civil Suit Filed by Flowers

In 1999, Gennifer Flowers later brought a civil suit against James Carville related to allegations made in 1992.

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.

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.

2003: Advisor to Venezuelan Business Interests

In early 2003, James Carville worked in Venezuela as an advisor to Venezuelan business interests seeking to destabilize the government of Hugo Chávez.

September 2006: Interview Remarks on Hugo Chávez

In a September 2006 interview, James Carville stated that he would be reluctant to call Hugo Chávez a democrat, referring to his work in Venezuela.

November 15, 2006: Carville Blasts Dean's Leadership

On November 15, 2006, James Carville criticized Democratic National Committee chair Howard Dean's leadership, calling for his ouster.

2007: Carville remarks on Barack Obama

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

March 22, 2008: Carville compares 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 during primaries

During the primaries in May 2008, James Carville insinuated that Hillary Clinton was a tougher candidate.

2008: Speculation of Carville infiltrating Kerry's campaign

In 2008, rival 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 for president.

March 4, 2009: Carville architects 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 the architects of the Democratic Party's strategy to cast conservative talk radio host Rush Limbaugh as the face of the Republican Party. Carville was critical of Limbaugh for saying he wanted Barack Obama to "fail".

2010: Carville criticizes Obama

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

November 2013: Carville comments on Obama's poll numbers

In November 2013, James Carville made a controversial comment about President Barack Obama's declining approval poll numbers.

2017: Santos acknowledges illegal campaign payments

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

2019: Carville consults 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, facing criticism for engaging with someone accused of sexual assault.

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February 2020: Criticism of Bernie Sanders

In February 2020, James Carville expressed displeasure at the prospect of Bernie Sanders being nominated, branding Sanders as a "communist" and Sanders' base of support as a "cult". He warned of the "end of days" if Sanders were to win the Democratic nomination. He also railed against progressive Democratic policies such as student loan debt forgiveness and "people voting from jail cells", and decried banning hydraulic fracking for shale gas.

February 2020: Call to Jettison Democratic Primaries

In February 2020, James Carville suggested that the Democratic presidential primaries and caucuses be jettisoned, advocating for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to select the Democratic Party's presidential and vice-presidential candidates. He also suggested Mitt Romney should resign from the Senate to save the Democratic Party and run their convention and that he might cast a write in vote for Nancy Pelosi in Louisiana.

November 2020: Presidential Election Prediction

In November 2020, James Carville predicted the result of the presidential election would be known by 10 p.m. on election day. This prediction was later named one of the most incorrect prognostication about the year, as the Associated Press took an additional four days to declare the winner.

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

Following 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, suggesting the country wanted something new.

2024: Comments on Democrats' Political Culture

Ahead of the 2024 presidential election, James Carville argued that the Democrats' political culture had become "too dominated by preachy females", claiming this was a reason for Democrats' waning support with black male voters.