David Frum Quotes

Individuals do matter and personalities matter in politics. But if issues are sidestepped due to personalities, then that is very dangerous.

I wouldn’t be too serious about bipartisanship. It’s a great myth that ought to be fostered. And don’t bring too damn much scholarship to bear on it. You’ll prove it out of existence if you’re not careful.

Under democracy one party always devotes its chief energies to trying to prove that the other party is unfit to rule-- and both commonly succeed, and are right.

Party divisions, whether on the whole operating for good or evil, are things inseparable from free government.

It is Arvind Kejriwal who believes in the politics of divide and rule.

I don't believe in populism.

Well, I don't know too many governors who are flaming ideologues.

At its worst, Washington is a place where name-calling partisan politics too often trumps policy.

I find myself hoping a total end of all the unhappy divisions of mankind by party-spirit, which at best is but the madness of many for the gain of a few.

Aren't we at the point where the closer we get to chaos, the more concern that there should be about coming to the table and compromising with Democrats? This is not leadership. This is almost like dictatorship.

Well it's really hard to satisfy the right wing. I can tell you that.

As in nature, politics abhors a vacuum. Without a strong voice for more moderate leadership, the Tea Party is filling that vacuum.

If you are tired of partisanship over patriotism, you need to vote for a change in direction.

A demagogue is a person with whom we disagree as to which gang should mismanage the country.

I would never say John Kerry would be a great president. I will say that George Bush has divided us; he has filled this country with hatred.

I mean, what are they scared of? Who's going to vote for anyone from the Communist Party, for God's sake?

In no way am I supporting or suggesting that a Conservative government is a good thing, far from it.

The term Party is applied equally to the peaceful parties of America and to the Communist Party of Russia, the Nazi Party of Germany, and the Fascist Party of Italy. The methodology of these parties varies, but their fundamental objective-to place and keep their leaders in control of the government - is the same.

There is nothing I dread so much as a division of the Republic into two great political parties, each arranged under its leader and converting measures in opposition to each other.

Our national politics has become a competition for images or between images, rather than between ideals.

The issue between the Republicans and the Democrats is clearly drawn. It has been deliberately drawn by those who have been in charge of twenty years of treason.

Campaigns are partisan. Governing should not be partisan.

A system that is built on checks and balances does not do well in an ideological climate.

Ideology isn’t driving the dynamic in Washington, it’s the desire to stay in power.

I am so out of sympathy with what seems to be the prevailing currents of American opinion that I keep my judgment suspended as regards the political wisdom of certain [Republican] party moves