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.
John McCain is finding his voice. The Republicans have found an issue. This offshore drilling, as your poll revealed, is popular in the country -- 2-1 in the CNN poll favor it. And, so, that's why John McCain's pushing it so far -- so hard.
John McCain is finding his voice; the Republicans have found an issue. This offshore drilling, as your poll revealed, is popular in the country, two to one in the CNN poll a favorite.
I think they may come closer on that. And because Obama is walking a very fine line himself and that is he wants to be plausible while not being presumptuous.
Obama has become a rock star. And they want him to sort of make him to be someone who's not just a rock star, but sort of an elitist who's not like the rest of us.
I think these charges about not visiting a military hospital are just bunk and impugning Barack Obama's patriotism is unwise and dangerous.
I do think it does raise the questions -- re-raise the questions of age.
But when he turns around and accuses Obama because Obama holds a different position of essentially, you know, trying to intentionally lose the war so we can advance -- you know being willing to lose the war so we can advance his personal…
Listen, I think John McCain, when he says he would rather lose a campaign than lose a war, I think that's absolutely honest and correct.
John McCain said twice today that he personally would rather lose a campaign than lose a war.
It sounds more likely that he could be a secretary of state or secretary of defense, perhaps.
I think he leaves himself open to the charge tonight that he's meddling, that this is not his role, that he can be the critic, but he's not the negotiator.
It's a dramatic shift, Anderson. And this drumbeat has been now coming since last Friday, as you just pointed out. And it's very clear that, as elections approach in Iraq, Maliki is asserting a certain kind of nationalism there.
I think the door is still open. There are many around who think now that it's a more distant possibility.
It sounds more likely that he could be a Secretary of State or Secretary of Defense perhaps.
This is a dramatic shift, Anderson. This drumbeat has been now coming since last Friday as you just pointed out. And it's very clear that as elections approach in Iraq, Maliki is asserting a certain kind of nationalism there.
I think he does and I think he may come back on this question of Barack Obama is not the right person to be negotiating the end of this war right now.
I think it has put him on the defensive, Anderson; but a couple of things. One is the head of the joint chiefs, Admiral Mullen has just said in the last 48 hours he thinks it's a mistake to set deadlines and hard deadlines.
I think it was -- Barack Obama made the first mistake of his trip in my judgment in releasing a statement in which he said exactly what Maliki had said in those conversations.
But the election of an African-American president, whether it's Barack Obama or someone else, will, I am convinced, over time improve race relations.
No, because I don't think their lives have changed very much yet, Anderson.
I don't think their lives have changed very much yet, Anderson. What we've seen in the past is that -- milestones and really big breakthroughs legislatively or in terms of rhetoric can change things over time.
But the election of an African-American, whether it's Barack Obama or someone else, will, I am convinced, over time improve race relations.
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