Political Quotes

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.

Sep 8, 2008

I think it's important for Obama to put down Sarah Palin, to get beyond that. He does not -- that lowers him, when he gets into that.

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Sep 8, 2008

I think the McCain campaign is absolutely delighted. Every day that it's about Sarah Palin is a good day for the McCain campaign.

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Sep 8, 2008

If she's going to be in the White House, there's got to be a sense of readiness.

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Sep 7, 2008

If you can do this in a way that is sort of being quietly done -- it's not up on the big radar screen -- that women in the suburbs feel really frightened by it, it makes a huge difference in energizing and getting people in more rural…

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Sep 7, 2008

He's largely erased Barack Obama's advantage on change. He hasn't caught up with him yet but it's a much narrower margin.

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Sep 7, 2008

If you can do this in a way that it's sort of being quietly done, it's not up on the big radar screen, that women in the suburbs feel really frightened by it, it makes a huge difference in energizing and getting people in more rural areas…

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Sep 7, 2008

The Republicans have very successfully reignited the culture wars which have been sort of bubbling under the surface for a long time.

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Sep 4, 2008

I think the Obama camp, they do need to sort of ignore her and get back to the issues.

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Sep 4, 2008

I don't think Barack Obama has sharpened his message enough. He needs more surrogates on the economic front and he needs a sharper, stronger, more compelling economic message.

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Sep 4, 2008

Just very briefly, on Obama today, what we heard today was him talking about a 6.1 percent unemployment rate, the worst in five years.

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Sep 4, 2008

I think she will have -- you know, when she goes out, she will get more coverage. I -- she's made it clear she's not going to take on Sarah Palin personally. She will go after John McCain and what the lack of real change that she thinks he…

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Politicians like David Gergen