Education Quote by David Brooks
![“I have seen [Betsy DeVos] present a few times. I don't really know her. But I have seen her present on education policy, and she's not a stupid person.” quote by David Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9bb/david-brooks-644_education_i-have-seen-betsy-devos-present-a-few-ti_431069.jpg)
“I have seen [Betsy DeVos] present a few times. I don't really know her. But I have seen her present on education policy, and she's not a stupid person.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New York Times, 2015
Brooks observes that DeVos, despite limited familiarity, appears competent on education policy.
In simple terms: DeVos seems competent on education policy.
Key Takeaway
Recognize competence even without personal familiarity.
Themes
politics
education
perception
Mood
neutral
analytical
Type
observational
critical
When to use this quote
- evaluating speakers
- making policy decisions
- forming opinions
Key Concepts
competence
public speaking
policy analysis
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you assess credibility of unfamiliar public figures?
- What weight should competence have in policy support?
A Different Perspective
Competence does not guarantee agreement with policies.
![“[Betsy DeVos] is quite a smart person, capable, pretty sophisticated in subtle thought. And so to me, that puts her in the realm of policy. But we're in a climate where, as today, she tries to visit a school, and she can't even do that because protesters are blocking that.” quote by David Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/886/david-brooks-644_block_betsy-devos-is-quite-a-smart-person-capa_1834524.jpg)
![“Would [Betsy DeVos] be my first pick? No. Is she someone who has dedicated her life to education policy? Yes, actually, she has.” quote by David Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0af/david-brooks-644_dedicated_would-betsy-devos-be-my-first-pick-no-is_2972455.jpg)
![“Randi Weingarten, head of the American Federation of Teachers, calls [Betsy] DeVos the most ideological, anti-public education nominee since the creation of the U.S. Department of Education nearly 40 years ago.” quote by Claudio Sanchez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ea0/claudio-sanchez-35119_creation_randi-weingarten-head-of-the-american-fe_59388.jpg)
![“On the [Betsy] DeVos case, I agree that the gun - her gun position is kind of weird, kind of crazy, but I do think she does know about public schools.” quote by David Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/529/david-brooks-644_agree_on-the-betsy-devos-case-i-agree-that-the_1710640.jpg)
![“President-elect [Donald] Trump has made a provocative choice for secretary of education. Betsy DeVos comes from a wealthy Michigan family. She is an advocate for school choice. That phrase means, in essence, directing public education money to charter schools, private schools or parochial schools.” quote by Steve Inskeep](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b94/steve-inskeep-10882_charter_president-elect-donald-trump-has-made-a_2437134.jpg)
