James Carville and Mary Matalin met and began dating in 1991 just before their epic election battle as top strategists to 1992 presidential contenders Bill Clinton and George H. W. Bush. If a presidential campaign couldn’t break them up, nothing would.
The political power couple, who married just after that campaign in 1993, discussed their unique relationship and their opposing political careers Monday night as part of the Frank and Kula Kumpuris Distinguished Lecture Series. The event drew a record crowd of 1,500.
A longtime Republican political operative, Matalin served as assistant to President George W. Bush and counselor to Vice President Dick Cheney and served on George H. W. Bush’s 1988 and 1992 campaigns. Carville, Matalin’s Democratic husband and counterpart, is the former senior advisor and chief campaign strategist for President Bill Clinton.
Today, they’re often seen debating opposite political sides on CNN’s State of the Union, but Carville and Matalin said they do agree on a lot of things.
“We do agree on politics and public service being a noble calling,” Matalin said. “And we both are very proud of what we’ve done and who we’ve been privileged to work for.”
In a conversation moderated by Roby Brock of www.talkbusiness.net, the couple reminisced about their careers and offered advice to those, including more than 30 Clinton School students in attendance, who hope to pursue work in public service.
“If any of you kids get a chance to work on a campaign at any level, it’s the most exciting and exhilarating experience,” Matalin said.
Carville, a Louisiana native known by his nickname “The Ragin’ Cajun,” reminisced about his teaming up with Clinton in 1992, which led him to live in Little Rock during the campaign.
“There is so much emotion built up here anytime I come back to Little Rock and just the fondness I remember from my time here.”
The couple, who currently live in New Orleans, also took some time to debate issues ranging from climate change to the pending health care legislation.
Video of the lecture will be posted soon at www.clintonschoolspeakers.com.
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