Jim Lehrer Quotes

Debate is so much better than denial.

Debate is healthy and no one in this chamber - starting with me - has a monopoly on being right.

There's always merit to having a debate.

Be able to defend your arguments in a rational way. Otherwise, all you have is an opinion.

We're going to hear a lot of spirited discussion about the President's plan in the next few days and weeks and that's fine as long as everyone comes ready to talk and not just snipe, complain and argue.

If you disagree with me about a position I have taken, or what I've done, tell me, argue with me, debate. Sometimes, right and good are not that clear; at other times, it is only deliberate and respectful debate that leads us to understand what road we should take.

Scientists disagree among themselves but they never fight over their disagreements. They argue about evidence or go out and seek new evidence. Much the same is true of philosophers, historians and literary critics.

I think debate is good. Everyone has an opinion, and it's definitely healthy to voice those.

Not everyone agrees. If you disagree with me, I want you to tell me, and I'm going to come back and tell you why it's my opinion.

There is giant untapped potential in disagreement, especially if the disagreement is between two or more thoughtful people

We mistake politics for legislative debate. You can be passionate without being personal.

Everyone should have their own opinion and be able to voice it. No matter what it is. Of course, that does not mean your opinion is always right. But, you're certainly entitled to your opinion.

I think that you can disagree with people and debate over their positions with issues without engaging in the politics of personal destruction.

Error of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it.

I don’t attack people. I attack ideas. And some very good people can have some very bad ideas.

What we say is an opinion it's the best that we can reach, if anybody can bring a better opinion we will accept it.

We can argue and we can disagree, but we don’t need to poke our fingers in each other’s eyes in order to get our points across.

Men must also be allowed the publication of their opinions, if this be done with decency and seriousness, for the learned can have no right to say that they are in possession of the truth, still less can the unlearned, unless every grave man can offer his opinions, be they what they may…

Don't raise your voice, improve your argument.

People who know me know that I'm always interested in an honest, civil exchange of views, and I'm not some Hollywood liberal know-nothing.

A critical component of progress is engaging with people you don't agree with - everything else is the status quo.

I like people with their own opinions, and I like people who argue with me. It's very exhausting to be in a room full of people who just nod and smile.

You want someone who will challenge you back; sometimes, that's the way the best decisions get made.

I'm not about sound bites. I'm about substance.

I try to always bring topics to the table that matter, topics that I think need to be discussed and reflected on.