Paul Begala Quotes

Powerful Paul Begala for Daily Growth

About Paul Begala

Paul Begala, a renowned American political consultant, commentator, and writer, was born on November 18, 1962, in Austin, Texas. His interest in politics was sparked early, influenced by his father, an economist who worked for the federal government. After earning his Bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at Austin, Begala began his political career as a staff member for Representative Richard A. Gephardt. In 1992, Begala joined President Bill Clinton's campaign team, where he played a significant role in the successful presidential bid. Post-election, he served as a White House counselor and advisor until 1998. His tenure was marked by notable accomplishments, including the passage of the National Service Act and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Following his departure from the White House, Begala returned to Austin and established the public relations firm Begala Investments & Consulting, LLC. He also delved into journalism, becoming a political analyst for CNN, a position he still holds today. Begala's literary works include "Lyndon B. Johnson and American Politics," co-authored with Alan Abramowitz, and "Strategery: How the Democrats Can Win Without Losing Their Souls," written with James Carville. His insightful political commentary and humorous wit have made him a popular figure in American politics and media. Today, Begala remains an influential voice in Democratic politics, offering analysis on CNN, writing for various publications, and continuing his work as a political consultant. His life and career serve as a testament to the power of strategic thinking, tenacity, and humor in the often tumultuous world of American politics.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Politics is not a game of ideals or principles. The Republican Party and the Democratic Party are not moral crusaders, they are glorified marketing departments."

This quote suggests that politics is more about strategy and positioning than adherence to principles or promoting idealistic values. Paul Begala's comparison of political parties to "glorified marketing departments" implies that they primarily focus on shaping and selling their image, policies, and candidates to the public, rather than serving as moral guardians or advocates for specific ideologies. This perspective underscores the pragmatic nature of politics, where success is often measured by popularity, public opinion, and electoral victories, rather than the pursuit of truth, justice, or ethical standards.


"The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function." - F. Scott Fitzgerald

This quote suggests that a sign of high intellect is the capacity to maintain a mental balance, considering multiple perspectives or contradictory ideas without being paralyzed by the tension between them. It's an ability to think critically, adapt, and make informed decisions even when confronted with complex and conflicting information or opinions. This versatility of thought enables one to function effectively in various situations that demand nuanced understanding and flexible problem-solving.


"You can't make a good decision without information, and the drive to acquire information drives the news."

The quote suggests that the pursuit of knowledge or information is essential for making sound decisions, while also implying that the need for such information fuels the existence and dissemination of news. In other words, accurate and timely information empowers individuals and society to make informed choices, which is a primary role of news media.


"We are all Republicans, we are just separated by 20 years of experience."

This quote by Paul Begala suggests that there may be more similarities than differences between people who identify as Republicans at different points in time. The "20 years of experience" could refer to the passage of time, during which political beliefs can change, or it could imply a gap in age or maturity level among individuals. Essentially, Begala is implying that people's political ideologies may shift over time and that what divides them now (the "20 years of experience") might have less relevance if they were to share the same historical context or life experiences.


"Democrats fight for working families, and Republicans work for Wall Street."

This quote by Paul Begala encapsulates a common political perception that Democrats are more aligned with the interests of ordinary working families, whereas Republicans are perceived to be more focused on the financial interests of Wall Street, symbolizing large financial institutions. It implies that Democratic policies aim to protect and support the economic well-being of the average citizen, while Republican policies tend to favor corporate interests, particularly those in finance. This viewpoint is often debated and may not always hold true for every individual or policy within each party, but it reflects a prevalent narrative in contemporary American politics.


If it was about lying under oath - we actually know that Clinton certainly was deceptive, as most people would be about their sex lives - but, in fact, he did not lie.

- Paul Begala

Fact, Certainly, Lives, Deceptive

Defining the terms of the debate generally dictates who's gonna' win it.

- Paul Begala

Debate, Dictates, Terms, Defining

So one important lesson of Vietnam is, the first casualty of an unwise and unjust war are the American troops called on to fight it. Their service should be honored.

- Paul Begala

Lesson, Vietnam, Unjust, Unwise

I didn't spend a lot of time on national security the American people will be glad to know.

- Paul Begala

People, American, Will, National Security

If George W. Bush is given a second term, and retains a Republican Congress and a compliant federal judiciary, he and his allies are likely to embark on a campaign of political retribution the likes of which we haven't seen since Richard Nixon.

- Paul Begala

Congress, Nixon, Second Term, Embark

I'm a Catholic, but I used to love going to Vacation Bible School with my fundamentalist friends.

- Paul Begala

Love, Bible, Going, Vacation

Again, President Reagan was sort of an amiable presence out at the ranch by the last 6 months of his presidency. He had no effect on national policy at all.

- Paul Begala

Last, Reagan, Months, National Policy

It seems to me the American people never really forgave the Democrats for being right about Vietnam.

- Paul Begala

Democrats, Vietnam, About, Forgave

I mean, for all of his faults and the troubles in his marriage, Bill Clinton is still married to a girl he met in the library 25 years ago at school. Can we say that about many of our other leaders today in America, including on the right wing?

- Paul Begala

Other, Bill Clinton, About, Wing

One of the problems we saw in the last presidential election in our party is that our nominee, while winning the election, which we ought never to forget, often lost sight of the difference between strategy and tactics.

- Paul Begala

Election, Last, Which, Presidential

It must kill George Bush that John McCain is the most popular and Beloved Republican in America.

- Paul Begala

Republican, Bush, Beloved

I try hard to be a good Catholic.

- Paul Begala

Good, Try, Hard, Catholic

Never interrupt your opponent when he's destroying himself.

- Paul Begala

Never, Opponent, Himself, Destroying

I was the guy that told Bill Clinton he was going to win. I had gotten the final polling numbers. He had a comfortable lead. He was not going to lose.

- Paul Begala

Going, Bill Clinton, Gotten, Polling

Bill and Hillary Clinton are the most investigated couple in American history - now the most thoroughly exonerated couple in American history.

- Paul Begala

Couple, Thoroughly, Bill, None

Again and again, I've seen Bush turn a blind eye as his henchmen have leveled zealous attacks against his political enemies - assaults which the president himself has sometimes directly encouraged.

- Paul Begala

Blind, Blind Eye, Which, President

See, I think if it just became who's sleeping with whom, then there's no reason to prefer one party over the other, 'cause the truth is we're all sinners.

- Paul Begala

Reason, Other, Became, No Reason

My view was that the campaign had been a sacred thing, that it had been a real compact, because I was there and I saw the connection that Clinton made with people, and the connection that they made with him.

- Paul Begala

Been, Made, Compact, Campaign

I don't like being a voyeur, looking into other people's marriages.

- Paul Begala

Other, Like, Marriages, Voyeur

I grew up in Tom DeLay's district.

- Paul Begala

Delay, Up, Tom, District

Bush began helping Enron in the eighties.

- Paul Begala

Began, Helping, Bush, Eighties

There's the great line: the definition of a liberal is someone who's afraid to take their own side in a fight. And that's my problem with my fellow liberals.

- Paul Begala

Own, Line, Side, Fellow

Most politicians, when they meet with a guy like me, or a guy like Carville, tell you about how they can win.

- Paul Begala

Tell, Like, About, Politicians

This gets back to the fundamental lesson of political survival that Bill Clinton taught me, which is if you make it about the American people's lives instead of your life, you're going to be okay.

- Paul Begala

Back, Bill Clinton, About, Bill

It taught me that Clinton's instinct to make this about your life as a citizen, rather than his as a human being, was the right answer to these things.

- Paul Begala

Citizen, Human Being, Rather, Right Answer

But I think what happened was that Clinton knew how to fight back. And the way he fought back was on the issues - being tough in staying on the things that mattered to people in their lives.

- Paul Begala

Think, I Think, Lives, Mattered

I think too many Democrats are too wimpy. But I think they're beginning to toughen up.

- Paul Begala

Beginning, Think, I Think, Democrats

Politics is show business for ugly people.

- Paul Begala

Business, Politics, Show, Ugly

I'm very sunny. You know, I'm always optimistic.

- Paul Begala

Always, Very, Optimistic, Sunny

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