Paul Begala | |
|---|---|
 Begala in 2012 | |
| Counselor to the President | |
| In office August 17, 1997 – March 10, 1999 | |
| President | Bill Clinton |
| Preceded by | Bill Curry |
| Succeeded by | Ann Lewis |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Paul Edward Begala May 12, 1961 New Jersey, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Diane Friday |
| Children | 4 |
| Residence(s) | Virginia, U.S. |
| Education | University of Texas at Austin (BA, JD) |
Paul Edward Begala (born May 12, 1961) is an American political consultant and political commentator, best known as the former advisor to President Bill Clinton.
Begala was a chief strategist for the 1992 Clinton-Gore campaign, which carried 33 states and made Clinton the first Democrat to occupy the White House in 12 years. As counselor to the President in the Clinton White House, he coordinated policy, politics, and communications.
Begala gained national prominence as part of the political consulting team Carville and Begala, which he formed with fellow Clinton advisor James Carville. He was a co-host on the political debate program Equal Time on MSNBC from 1999 to 2000, and a co-host on the similar debate program Crossfire on CNN from 2002 to 2005. He now appears regularly on CNN as a Democratic pundit. He is an Affiliated Professor of Public Policy at Georgetown University's McCourt School of Public Policy.