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.
The massive borrowing we're doing now which raises all sorts of questions about how much additional debt should the government take on? And is that going to force interest rates up, inflation up, and sort of essentially cut off whatever…
President Obama came up with a new plan yesterday which I still don't think it's big enough. I think Stephen is right. It's going to take a much more massive effort.
I think Stephen is right about the fact that both the Bush administration and the Obama administration have announced plans. They've announced a program to try to stem the foreclosure rate, and they simply haven't been big enough. They…
We've got to invest far more in new technologies if the green revolution could bring a wave of new jobs just like the information technology.
Well, Ali, I think it was you a few weeks ago who first coined the terms that we were seeing glimmers of hope.
I think in these situations you can't think about who is going to be pleased and who's not. I think you have to think about what's the right decision for the president and assume good policies ultimately make good politics.
If you were told by your secretary of defense and by your commanders, 'If you release these photos, Mr. President, we may get some people shot.' You're the commander in chief, would you do it? I think you would not.
The most important thing is these graduates are coming into the toughest job market in over a quarter of a century.
I think this controversy over honorary degrees is rather silly on the part of the university.
I think most Americans appreciate the fact, Anderson that the toughest decisions come to the president's desk.
This party needs a chairman who can keep his mouth shut and try to keep peace, not one who throws oil on the flames.
This party needs a chairman that can keep his mouth shut and try to keep peace, not one who throws oil on the flames.
There's a lot of buyer's remorse, I think, within the Republican Party.
I think that this is -- does go to the core -- and we were talking about this last night -- I think Dick Cheney almost has a Churchillian view of this, and that is somebody has got to stand up and be the voice in the wilderness.
You know, you can disagree with Dick Cheney, as I do on many issues, but you have to say the man is serious about national security.
We're starting to see two economies develop here. One is the investor class is now actually making money.
I think the president has been very calm. I think he's going to get a lot of credit if this thing turns around.
I think he's begun to find his voice. And, certainly, the policies he's put in place are beginning to -- to -- to turn out better.
I don't think he wants to dance yet, Anderson, but he has had two significant days now.
I think the prospect of $1 trillion a year or more of deficits, which is what we're looking at right now over the next four to eight years, is very sobering to people.
Not only is it small, but it's going to be hard to get these done. There is resistance already being expressed on Capitol Hill against some of these cuts.
Politicians like David Gergen
