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.

Quotes by year · 200420233,072 total · peak 2008 (674)
2004: 17 quotes2005: 10 quotes2006: 236 quotes2007: 167 quotes2008: 674 quotes2009: 600 quotes2010: 220 quotes2011: 170 quotes2012: 171 quotes2013: 61 quotes2014: 43 quotes2015: 55 quotes2016: 89 quotes2017: 193 quotes2018: 165 quotes2019: 116 quotes2020: 59 quotes2021: 12 quotes2022: 9 quotes2023: 5 quotes
Nov 17, 2010

The press actually did uncover some of this. Now, let's be clear about this. We didn't know about this housing business and 17 years of unpaid taxes, had the press not gotten into it.

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Nov 17, 2010

I think it's very wise in time, particularly in these -- when -- when we're so tight on the budget, to cut this stuff out.

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Nov 17, 2010

I think it's very wise, in time, particularly in these -- when we're so tight on the budget, to cut this stuff out.

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Nov 17, 2010

If they get this 1 percent, OK, let's go for the next 3 percent, let's go for the next 5 percent.

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Nov 8, 2010

I do think that the larger significance is that Sarah Palin has gone after the Federal Reserve.

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Nov 2, 2010

The working conventional wisdom in politics is, Barack Obama's going to win in part because it's a weak field running against him.

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Nov 2, 2010

If President Obama says, 'I am serious about Social Security reform, and I'm even willing to look at Medicare reform', then I think, in taking on his base on those issues, it would -- you cannot cut this deficit sufficiently unless you --

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Nov 2, 2010

I don't think he made a sufficient pivot to the center today. He has to do that, I think, through policies and through personnel.

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Nov 2, 2010

To have someone like Rubio out there -- getting Christine O'Donnell off the screen and getting Rubio on the screen is a big step forward for the Republicans.

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Nov 2, 2010

Getting unemployment down -- I think Ari is absolutely right. It's way too early to talk about 2012 until you know what happens in 2011.

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Oct 31, 2010

It is such a bellwether for presidential politics and for power in this country. And it's a Republican sweep, not only the Senate race but the governorship and pick up three or four of the House seats, I think that has real implications…

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Politicians like David Gergen