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.
If I were sitting in the White House, worried about what Jay Rockefeller may say, I -- and Scott McClellan came out with this book on the edge of that, I might want to carpet bomb Scott McClellan to -- to drown him out and make it appear…
It's unusually intense, Anderson. And it does raise the question of why, because, you know, often, when you're in the White House in this situation, if you don't say anything at all, you just sort of hope it goes away.
It's unusually intense, Anderson, and it does raise the question of why. Because you know, often when you're in the White House in this situation and what you do, if you don't say anything at all, you just sort of hope it goes away.
It does seem to me that there are ethical obligations to get the truth out. And over time you do want a historical record about an administration to be right.
If there is outright lying, and if the country was led into war by outright lying, then, somebody has an obligation to blow the whistle on that.
Unless -- unless the Democrats have a death wish, they'd better reach a compromise this weekend and they'd better do it with a minimum of rancor and a maximum of statesmanship.
I think what we're seeing is a slowly unfolding coronation. Each day, it becomes more and more clear he's going to become the candidate.
It's also partly about trying to frame the race and trying to give -- to begin to introduce what is this race all about.
I think it's -- it's one more step in the endgame that we're in right now. And she clearly knows that this is almost over, and she's shifted her tone since November.
To joke about guns and Barack Obama is the single most tasteless thing one can do in American politics.
If George W. Bush were on the ticket today, he would go down in a landslide.
Politicians like David Gergen
