Paul Begala
American political consultant, political commentator
Paul Edward Begala is an American political consultant and political commentator. He was an adviser to President Bill Clinton and a chief strategist for the 1992 Clinton-Gore campaign, which carried 33 states and made Clinton the first Democrat to win the White House in twelve years. As counselor to the President in the Clinton White House, he coordinated policy, politics, and communications.
Aside from the 1992 presidential election, Begala and his business partner James Carville have had other well-known political victories including the 1991 Pennsylvania U.S. Senate victory of Harris Wofford, the 1988 re-election campaign of incumbent New Jersey U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg, and the gubernatorial victories of Robert Casey in Pennsylvania in 1986, Wallace G. Wilkinson in Kentucky in 1987, and Zell Miller in Georgia in 1990.
Begala’s most recent novel You’re Fired: The Perfect Guide to Beating Donald Trump tells us how Trump uses division to distract from the actual reality of his record. Distraction, he argues, is Trump’s superpower. And this book is Kryptonite. In it, the man who helped elect Bill Clinton and reelect Barack Obama, details the successes and failures—and the crucial tools Democrats need to beat Trump.
As an author and co-author, Begala has written five political books: Is Our Children Learning?: The Case Against George W. Bush; Buck Up, Suck Up and Come Back When You Foul Up (with James Carville); It’s Still the Economy Stupid; and Third Term: Why George W. Bush (Hearts) John McCain. Until June 2005, Begala was a co-host of CNN’s political debate program Crossfire. He is currently a Research Professor of Public Policy at Georgetown University Public Policy Institute and is teaching at the University of Georgia School of Law as a Sanders Political Leadership Scholar.
Begala’s knowledge and signature wit makes him an ideal panelist to recap the ups and downs of the Final Presidential Debate. Join The Common Good Friday, October 23rd, 12:00pm EST as Begala along with our other expert panelists answers your questions on what will come about after the final debate.
Begala was hosted by The Common Good in 2008 for a Meet & Greet.
Twitter: @PaulBegala
