Paternalism is the method of government activism most amenable to an impoverished public sector. — Jacob Weisberg Copy Share Image
Where Reagan channeled disenchantment with overweening government, Obama symbolized America's transformation into a multiracial country. — Jacob Weisberg Copy Share Image
Professional politicians often claim they are not professional politicians. Trump genuinely isn't one. — Jacob Weisberg Copy Share Image
Not all negativity is bad. In politics, it's a necessary clarifying tool. — Jacob Weisberg Copy Share Image
As a political party, the Libertarians have always been more party than political. — Jacob Weisberg Copy Share Image
Political analysts tend to overinterpret the results of isolated elections. — Jacob Weisberg Copy Share Image
Political assumptions can remain constant for long periods and then change very quickly. — Jacob Weisberg Copy Share Image
We're quick to describe politicians whose views we find extreme or whose behavior seems odd as 'crazy,' and perhaps anyone who runs… — Jacob Weisberg Copy Share Image
Politicians try to make friends, build constituencies, and avoid gaffes. Trump does the opposite, seeking out land mines in order to detonate… — Jacob Weisberg Copy Share Image
Southern conservatives care about government's moral stance but don't mind when it spends freely on behalf of their constituents. Western conservatives, by… — Jacob Weisberg Copy Share Image
Obama is the rare Democrat who talks easily about faith and values and who does so without upsetting those offended by the… — Jacob Weisberg Copy Share Image
As with the government failures that made 9/11 possible, neglecting to prevent the crash of '08 was a sin of omission -… — Jacob Weisberg Copy Share Image
In trying to explain our political paralysis, analysts cite President Obama's tactical missteps, the obstinacy of congressional Republicans, rising partisanship in Washington,… — Jacob Weisberg Copy Share Image
Founded in rebellion against colonial tyranny, our country is naturally suspicious of government intrusion, interference, and snooping. European systems, by comparison, grow… — Jacob Weisberg Copy Share Image
Abandoning traditions of responsibility and civility won the GOP control of both houses of Congress in 1994. Rejecting any compromise brought Republicans… — Jacob Weisberg Copy Share Image
Without medical records that he hasn't released, we can't know whether Gingrich may have inherited his mother's manic depression. Nevertheless, one observes… — Jacob Weisberg Copy Share Image
Northeastern conservatism is moderate, accepts the modern welfare state, and dislikes mixing religion with politics. Western conservatism is hawkish, hates government, and… — Jacob Weisberg Copy Share Image
As far apart as they are theologically, Mormons and evangelical Christians may have more in common with each other anthropologically than they do with… — Jacob Weisberg Copy Share
Political analysts tend to overinterpret the results of isolated elections. — Jacob Weisberg Copy Share
Seeing the rich and famous screw up makes us feel superior, or at least not quite so inferior. — Jacob Weisberg Copy Share
Trade, tourism, cultural exchange, and participation in international institutions all serve to erode the legitimacy of repressive regimes. — Jacob Weisberg Copy Share
The cradle-to-grave welfare state diminishes individual initiative and can breed a pervasive sclerosis. — Jacob Weisberg Copy Share
America's sanctions policy is largely consistent and, in a certain sense, admirable. By applying economic restraints, we label the most oppressive and dangerous governments… — Jacob Weisberg Copy Share
You may or may not agree with Obama's policy prescriptions, but they are, by and large, serious attempts to deal with the biggest issues… — Jacob Weisberg Copy Share
The invasion of Iraq was, in ways that have since become hard to dispute, a terrible mistake. — Jacob Weisberg Copy Share
In practice, conservatives are no less inclined than liberals to adopt superior stances or to tell people how to live their lives. — Jacob Weisberg Copy Share
The leader who loves books that tell him he is great and right may be worse than the leader who does not love books… — Jacob Weisberg Copy Share
Without medical records that he hasn't released, we can't know whether Gingrich may have inherited his mother's manic depression. Nevertheless, one observes in the… — Jacob Weisberg Copy Share
Members of the middle class do not have to worry about falling off $250,000 sailboats because they don't have $250,000 sailboats to fall off of. — Jacob Weisberg Copy Share
In authoritarian societies, cultural institutions tend to become ideological proxies - think of the National Ballet in Cuba or the East German gymnastics team. — Jacob Weisberg Copy Share
Northeastern conservatism is moderate, accepts the modern welfare state, and dislikes mixing religion with politics. Western conservatism is hawkish, hates government, and embraces individual… — Jacob Weisberg Copy Share
The most important newspapers in this country need to exist. Our democracy needs them. Life as we know it would be unthinkable without them. — Jacob Weisberg Copy Share
