Political Consultant
Political Commentator, CNN

Political Consultant and CNN Political Commentator James Carville will open NACDA's 41st Annual Convention as the Keynote Speaker on Wednesday, June 21.

Carville provides insight "from the left", along with analyst Paul Begala on CNN programs, such as "The Situation Room". On this show, Carville and Begala discuss the hottest issues of the day with Robert Novak, who provides commentary "from the right". Carville was formerly co-host of "Crossfire", CNN's political debate program.

An outspoken Democratic political strategist and commentator, Carville emerged on the national political scene after his consulting firm, Carville & Begala, helped elect President Bill Clinton in 1992. For his work on the Clinton campaign, he was named the 1993 Campaign Manager of the Year by the American Association of Political Consultants. He went on to serve as a senior political adviser to the president. His role on the Clinton campaign was documented in the feature-length Academy Award nominated film, "The War Room".

Carville & Begala's other well-known electoral successes include the 1991 Senate victory of Harris Wofford in Pennsylvania, the 1990 gubernatorial victories of Georgia's Zell Miller and Pennsylvania's Robert P. Casey and the 1998 re-election of Senator Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey.

Often referred to as the "Ragin' Cajun" for his animated and colorful debating style, Carville began managing political campaigns in 1982. Before entering politics, he worked as a litigator at a Baton Rouge, Louisiana, law firm from 1973-79 and also had brief stints in the U.S. Marines and as a high school teacher.

Carville co-authored the current best seller Buck Up, Suck Up... and Come Back When You Foul Up with Begala and has also authored We're Right, They're Wrong: A Handbook for Spirited Progressives, The Horse he Rode in on: The People vs. Ken Starr and Stickin - The Case for Loyalty. With his wife, renowned Republican strategist and current Bush administration adviser Mary Matalin, he co-authored a book entitled, All's Fair: Love, War and Running for President.

Born and raised in Carville, Louisiana, a town named for his grandfather, Carville graduated from Louisiana State University with undergraduate and law degrees.