Punditry is like weather forecasting: the winds can shift without warning. I remember when nobody would bet a McDonald's Quarter Pounder that Bill Clinton would win the White House.
James CarvilleRead
Don't get mad. Don't get even. Just get elected, then get even.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Focus on winning rather than seeking revenge.
James Carville's quote emphasizes the importance of maintaining composure and professionalism in the face of adversity, particularly in politics. Instead of reacting with anger or seeking retribution, he suggests that one should strive for success and use that power to create change once in a position of authority.
Themes
PoliticsSuccessElectionRevengeComposure
In practice
Example use cases
In a campaign speech, a politician might use this quote to motivate supporters to focus on winning.
More from James Carville
All quotes βOver the course of history, governments, political regimes, and leaders have done some stupid things despite all arguments to the contrary, at times even against their own self-interest.
James CarvilleRead
I tell my students that the single most powerful thing that we have in this country - something that literally harbors no dissent and no questioning - is the all-powerful elite narrative.
James CarvilleRead
I have people ask me if I'm going to convince my daughters to be Democrats, and I say, 'I have yet to convince my daughters to close a door.' I don't how in the world I would ever convince them to be in a political affiliation.
James CarvilleRead
I used to think that if there was reincarnation, I wanted to come back as the President or the Pope or as a 400 basball hitter. But now I would like to come back as the bond market. You can intimidate everybody.
James CarvilleRead
We say there are people who have worked in campaigns who say that they have lost some - and we call those folks operatives, managers, strategists, consultants; and then there are people who work in campaigns and say that they have never lost, and we call them liars.
James CarvilleRead
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