* January 1996, reported as referring to Clinton's accuser Paula Jones and her charge that President Clinton had sexually assaulted her, but Carville insisted he meant Gennifer Flowers
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- A note stating Carville claimed a remark about an accuser referred to Gennifer Flowers rather than Paula Jones.
- In plain terms
- Carville said he meant someone else, not the person accused.
- What can you take from it?
- Context matters when interpreting political remarks.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do we judge past remarks?
- Why do politicians clarify statements later?
Another view
Retrospective clarifications are often self-serving.
More from James Carville
'When it comes to being visionary in stealing, the Republicans do better than anybody. It's really something to see.' - in his 25th January 2006 appearance on …
Permalink to quote #10 'Look, if George W. Bush and his Republican cronies walked on water, I'd be the guy out there yelling that they couldn't swim. But don't take it from me: we've…
Permalink to quote #9 Republicans now have their own network on Fox, so guys who don't like to answer questions, like Trent Lott, have a place to go to hit softballs.
Permalink to quote #13
Related quotes
The only way I can lose this election is if I'm caught in bed with either a dead girl or a live boy.
Edwin W. EdwardsEdwin W. Edwards quote #1 We've got a real irony here... We have politicians selling access to something we all own- our government. And then we have broadcasters selling access to some…
Newton N. MinowNewton N. Minow quote #5 The only place Al Gore conserves energy these days is on the treadmill. I don't want to suggest that Al's getting big, but the last time I saw him on TV I thou…
Ann CoulterAnn Coulter quote #9