This is -- I still continue to think this is a great ado about very little.
David Gergen
The Public Record
David Gergen was an American political commentator and advisor who served in the administrations of four U.S. presidents, providing insights and guidance on various political matters. Born on May 9, 1942, in Massachusetts, Gergen held significant roles in both Republican and Democratic administrations, showcasing his ability to navigate the political landscape across party lines. He was also a professor of public service at Harvard University, where he influenced a new generation of leaders. In addition to his academic work, Gergen was a senior political analyst for CNN, contributing to public discourse on current events until his passing on July 10, 2025.
There's zero evidence that anybody around Obama or Obama himself even knew that there was this kind of horse trading going on for the senate seat for money or favors of one sort or another.
So, I think the politics are becoming much more treacherous for Barack Obama.
That's a darn good question, Erica and pretty soon they're going to have to have some standards or principles by which to judge this.
There's zero evidence that anybody around Obama, or Obama himself, even knew that there was this kind of horse-trading going on for a Senate seat for money or favors of one sort and another.
When an outsider can so easily penetrate his privacy, how easy is it going to be an outsider to penetrate his security?
That's exactly -- when he -- when he starts walking -- if he gets out of his car on Pennsylvania Avenue on inaugural day, and just starts walking along, and they haven't taken huge precautions, just think what could happen.
That's what comes with being, you know, when people begin to think you're Obama, you could change everything.
Charisma was a great asset for both John Kennedy and Ronald Reagan in their governing both here and abroad. But it can raise expectations.
That's what comes with being -- you know, when people begin to think, you're Obama, you can change everything, that's what he's got to worry about.





