Who Is Paul Begala?

Paul Begala (b. 1961) was former President Bill Clinton's political advisor during the 1990s and has become a well-known political consultant and commentator in the US. He was especially key during the 1992 election campaign when Clinton swept to power, ending 12 years of Republican rule. He is currently also a public policy professor at Georgetown University, in Washington DC.

Although Begala is well liked by many in the Democratic camp for his sharp critique of Republican and conservative politics, and especially of President George Bush's administration, he is also sometimes seen as a "stereotypical" liberal and has been the subject of many caricatures and parodies.

Begala has also appeared on a number of US television shows, including "Cross Fire" on CNN, as well as on MSNBC programs. Interestingly, while being a liberal on most political issues, Begala is also a deeply religious Catholic who has spoken about his faith in public on numerous occasions. Begala is said to carry with him a pocket-sized New Testament.