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Carville to Advise Karzai Challenger

Says move shouldn't be seen as US looking for change in Afghan leadership

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 6, 2009 11:00 AM CDT

(Newser) – James Carville is headed to Kabul to advise one of Hamid Karzai’s challengers in Afghanistan’s upcoming election, Bloomberg reports. Carville has close ties to Hillary Clinton, but says the move shouldn’t be seen as a sign the Obama administration is pushing for a leadership change. “I don’t think anybody would veto me doing this,” he said. “I’ve worked in Israel when Bill Clinton was president. It’s what I do.”

A State Department spokesman said Carville was a “private citizen,” and didn’t need the department’s approval. Carville will be backing Ashraf Ghani, Afghanistan’s current finance minister, against Hamid Karzai, who came to power thanks largely to US backing in 2001. Currently Ghani is polling at just 2%, in the third slot behind ex-foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah, at 7%, and Karzai, at 31%.

US National Security Advisor Jim Jones, center, meets Afghan presidential candidates, from right to left, Ashraf Ghani, Abdullah Abdullah, and Mirwais Yasini, June 23, 2009. (AP Photo/Musadeq Sadeq)

Political commentator James Carville laughs as he is introduced by his wife Mary Matalin during commencement ceremonies for Tulane University in New Orleans, Saturday, May 17, 2008. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)

Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai gestures during a press conference at the presidential palace in Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday June 27, 2009. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 4 comments

riffran

Jul 7, 2009 10:06 AM CDT

"OH I'LL GET YOU NOW HE MAN...HAHAHAHAHAH"....

RogerMohajir

Jul 6, 2009 8:29 AM CDT

I regret implying that Ghani is a fool. I don't know enough about him to make that judgment. He may simply be too polite to refuse Carville's offer. Haven't we done enough to Afghanistan, though? Is it really fair to inflict Carville upon them?

RogerMohajir

Jul 6, 2009 6:41 AM CDT

This is hilarious! Carville is so out of his depth wading into Afghan politics. Remember when he famously said in reference to Paula Jones, "Drag a hundred-dollar bill through a trailer park, you never know what you'll find." I can't wait until he discovers what you find when you drag a three-dollar bill like him through Kandahar. What a fool Ghani must be to seek, or even just accept, his "help."

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Carville to Advise Karzai Challenger

Says move shouldn't be seen as US looking for change in Afghan leadership

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Afghanistan • Hamid Karzai • campaign adviser • James Carville • election • Afghanistan war • Ashraf Ghani • Abdullah Abdullah

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Taliban: Prince Harry Shouldn't Kill

'Captain Wales' to return to Afghanistan this year; he'll be Taliban target

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Focus to be on training, special missions, not policing

Afghan Civilian Deaths Hit New High

More than 3K killed, mostly by Taliban

Panetta: US Combat Role in Afghanistan Over in 2013

But American, NATO troops will still have 'robust' advisory role

Backed By Pakistan, Taliban Set to Retake Afghanistan

ISI providing direct assistance, says secret NATO report viewed by the BBC

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Carville to Advise Karzai Challenger

Says move shouldn't be seen as US looking for change in Afghan leadership

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Afghanistan • Hamid Karzai • campaign adviser • James Carville • election • Afghanistan war • Ashraf Ghani • Abdullah Abdullah

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Taliban: Prince Harry Shouldn't Kill

'Captain Wales' to return to Afghanistan this year; he'll be Taliban target

US Eyes Switch to Special Ops in Afghanistan

Focus to be on training, special missions, not policing

Afghan Civilian Deaths Hit New High

More than 3K killed, mostly by Taliban

Panetta: US Combat Role in Afghanistan Over in 2013

But American, NATO troops will still have 'robust' advisory role

Backed By Pakistan, Taliban Set to Retake Afghanistan

ISI providing direct assistance, says secret NATO report viewed by the BBC

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Newser By Users

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More News

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