Jim Lehrer Quotes

The mark of a true politician is that he is never at a loss for words because he is always half-expecting to be asked to make a speech.

Good political leadership for me involves getting the big decisions right - however difficult, however controversial, however potentially divisive and then being able to take people with you.

Learning how to be persuasive has been really crucial to my life both professionally and personally.

The writing is all done, so it's all about verbalizing everything from point A to point B, and certainly there's a bit of politics involved, so it's a different thing.

We need a president with tremendous intelligence, smarts, cunning, strength and stamina.

The main essentials of a successful prime minister are sleep and a sense of history.

[Woodrow Wilson] could state a principle better than the expert from whom he had borrowed it.

The capacity to persuade is an essential part of being a great leader.

I saw Mr. Lincoln a number of times during the canvass for his second election. The characteristic which struck me most was his superabundance of common sense. His power of managing men, of deciding and avoiding difficult questions, surpassed that of any man I ever met.

Turning Intellect Into Influence

Kennedy understood something that is not so obvious, and that is that words are more important than deeds. You can’t govern 300 million people—or 180 million when Kennedy was president—by doing things. You can only do it by rhetoric.

If you look at the very best presidents, the most effective presidents, they were always decent salespeople. Ronald Reagan was an extremely effective salesman, very tuned to the people he was selling to, very clear in what he was selling, very resilient and buoyant.

I find it very easy and good to cooperate with President Donald Trump. Because he's very down to earth, very concrete. He tells me what he wants; he asks me what he can get from us.

Cicero most reminds me of Harold Wilson. Both men knew how to keep the show on the road.

Well, a lot of politics is communicating with people, and obviously comedy has something to do with that. I've been a producer and led people. Also, being a comedian, you're under pressure.

Talking and eloquence are not the same: to speak, and to speak well, are two things.

With my natural communication abilities, I could probably gather a crowd even without the Spirit.

A politician should have three hats. One for throwing into the ring, one for talking through, and one for pulling rabbits out of if elected.

Your ability to communicate is an important tool in your pursuit of your goals, whether it is with your family, your co-workers or your clients and customers.

The first requirement of a statesman is that he be dull.

I'm an orator, a raconteur.

In a democracy, a leader must be the head teacher, someone eager to respond to doubts and questions and explain the need for and the benefits of a new course.

Some politicians that I've seen have been brilliant with the public. They almost speak with the skill of an actor.

Adlai Stevenson has a genius for saying the right thing, at the right time, to the wrong people.

Speeches are not magic and there is no great speech without great policy.