Cases Quote by David Brooks
“The reason the Betsy DeVos case was the centerpiece case for the Democrats wasn't about her weakness as a knowledgeable person on education policy.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Remarks at the 2022 Democratic National Convention, 2022
The case was symbolic for Democrats because it highlighted perceived gaps in expertise, not personal weakness.
In simple terms: It mattered as a political symbol.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the power of narrative in politics.
Themes
politics
expertise
media
public perception
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
political
commentary
When to use this quote
- campaign strategy
- media analysis
- policy advocacy
Key Concepts
symbolic politics
policy debate
leadership perception
Questions to Reflect On
- How do symbolic cases shape public opinion?
- What role should expertise play in political narratives?
A Different Perspective
Focusing on symbolism can distract from substantive policy discussion.
![“My gut reaction [on Betsy DeVos] was, oh, my God. We are now back into the education wars.” quote by Randi Weingarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d0b/randi-weingarten-55394_education_my-gut-reaction-on-betsy-devos-was-oh-my_811720.jpg)
![“[Betsy DeVos] does care about charter schools, which are public schools. She does care about choice, which is a perfectly legitimate thing to care about. It's because it's the one issue where the Democratic donor base was really energized, which was the teacher unions.” quote by David Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d8e/david-brooks-644_care_betsy-devos-does-care-about-charter-scho_1106776.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)
![“[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)
![“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)
![“[As in the case of] alcohol prohibition, illegality has driven organized crime, sent countless people to jail, and killed many thousands. Repression does not work.” quote by Sam Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/212/sam-branson-36458_alcohol_as-in-the-case-of-alcohol-prohibition-il_8703.jpg)
