David Frum Quotes

Powerful David Frum for Daily Growth

About David Frum

David Frum is a renowned Canadian-American political commentator, journalist, and author, born on March 28, 1967, in Toronto, Canada. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Harvard University and a Ph.D. in Politics from Cambridge University. Frum's career began in the late 1980s when he worked for the Canadian Department of External Affairs. In 1994, he moved to the United States, where he started his journalistic career with The National Review and later The Weekly Standard. His political insights gained prominence during the presidency of George W. Bush, as he served as a speechwriter for the administration from 2001 to 2002. One of Frum's most significant works is his book "The Righteous Mind: Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion," published in 2011. The book explores the psychological basis of political conflict, offering insights into how people perceive each other across ideological divides. Frum gained further recognition for coining the term "Axis of Evil" in a 2002 essay titled "The Axis of Evil," which was subsequently used by President Bush in his State of the Union address. Frum's other notable works include "An End to Evil: How to Win the War on Terror," published in 2003, and "Comeback: Conservatism that Can Win Again," co-authored with Ramesh Ponnuru in 2014. Frum's perspectives often challenge conventional political wisdom, making him a thought-provoking figure in the realm of American politics and journalism. He currently serves as a contributor to CNN and The Atlantic, where he shares his insights on current events and political trends.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Politics is a battle of stories."

David Frum's quote "Politics is a battle of stories" implies that political debates are not merely about facts, policies, or ideologies, but rather the narratives that surround them. In politics, winning hearts and minds often involves crafting compelling stories – metaphors, myths, and anecdotes – that resonate with people's emotions, values, and experiences. These narratives help shape public opinion and guide decision-making in the political sphere. Essentially, Frum is suggesting that in politics, it's not just what you say, but how you tell your story that matters.


"Democracy thrives on the ability to compromise."

David Frum's quote, "Democracy thrives on the ability to compromise," underscores the vital role of compromise in a democratic society. Compromise is essential for effective governance as it allows diverse interests, perspectives, and values to coexist peacefully, fostering unity and stability within a democracy. It's a testament to the ability of individuals and groups to put aside short-term gains for the greater good, facilitating collaboration and progress towards shared objectives. In essence, compromise in democracy is not a sign of weakness but rather an expression of maturity, empathy, and respect for others' viewpoints.


"Economic growth is the best way to reduce poverty."

David Frum's quote suggests that sustained economic expansion, or growth, is an effective strategy for diminishing poverty levels. In essence, as a society becomes more prosperous, its ability to provide opportunities and resources increases, which can help alleviate poverty by raising the general standard of living and creating new job opportunities. However, it's crucial to remember that while economic growth can make a significant impact, it doesn't guarantee that all benefits will be distributed equitably. Policy makers must focus on ensuring inclusive growth that minimizes wealth disparities and targets resources towards those most in need.


"The Internet has made it possible for everyone to have a voice, but that doesn't mean everyone will be heard."

This quote by David Frum highlights the democratization of communication brought about by the internet, where anyone can potentially share their thoughts or ideas online. However, it also emphasizes that just because everyone has a voice does not guarantee that their perspective will reach a wider audience or be impactful. The vast amount of information available on the internet creates a noise that can drown out less popular or nuanced viewpoints, underscoring the importance of quality content, engagement, and strategy for one's message to stand out in the digital landscape.


"A political party cannot be all things to all people; it must be something to some people."

This quote by David Frum emphasizes that a political party should have a clear, defining ideology or platform instead of trying to appeal to everyone indiscriminately. It suggests that it is not possible, nor practical, for a party to cater to every group or individual, as this would dilute its core values and potentially lead to inconsistencies in policy-making. Instead, the party should focus on being meaningful and appealing to specific segments of society who share similar beliefs and goals. This approach allows the party to maintain its identity, build strong coalitions, and effectively address the needs and concerns of its constituents.


As thrilling as it was, speechwriting is ultimately frustrating for someone who wants to be a writer.

- David Frum

Someone, Writer, Wants, Thrilling

A generation ago, or two, when there were three channels, plus PBS, and when you needed - when you needed 15 million people to make a living, the media could focus on the broad country. And most people had no choice about getting political information. It was there at 6:30 whether you wanted it or not.

- David Frum

Country, Needed, About, PBS

Nobody ever won an election by spitting at his political opponents.

- David Frum

Ever, Political Opponents, Spitting

My mother cared more about how you reasoned than about the conclusions you reached.

- David Frum

Mother, How, Cared, Conclusions

Today's Republican party is too beholden to factions generally.

- David Frum

Today, Republican Party, Too, Beholden

A presidential speech is always the work of many hands.

- David Frum

Hands, Speech, Always, Presidential

Maybe it's true that people with less extreme views who are also interested in public affairs have been driven out by a marketplace that doesn't offer them anything of the tone they want to listen to.

- David Frum

Tone, Been, Maybe, Public Affairs

My view on candidates on money is unless it's proven that the donor stole the money, the campaign keeps the money.

- David Frum

Money, View, Candidates, Donor

In journalism I can only tell what happened. In fiction, I can show it.

- David Frum

Tell, Fiction, Only, Journalism

Journalism can go right up to the door of the room in which the decisions are made. A novel can go inside the room - and inside the character's heads.

- David Frum

Door, Made, Which, Journalism

I'm a latecomer to the environmental issue, which for years seemed to me like an excuse for more government regulation. But I can see that in rich societies, voters are paying less attention to economic issues and more to issues of the spirit, including the environment.

- David Frum

Years, Issues, Voters, Economic

I am really and truly frightened by the collapse of support for the Republican Party by the young and the educated.

- David Frum

Young, Republican Party, Am, Frightened

What I say is I am somebody who cares about conservative ideas. I want to see them implemented in governance.

- David Frum

Conservative, Want, Cares, Implemented

My mom was truly an iconic figure, a great journalist and a pioneering woman who died at 54 of cancer without ever having revealed to viewers that she was ill.

- David Frum

Woman, Figure, Having, Revealed

Whenever you discuss politics, it is always better to use individual names rather then the term neocon.

- David Frum

Politics, Always, Individual, Discuss

To balance China, the democracies will need new friends - and India with its fast-growing economy, youthful population, and democratic politics seems the obvious candidate.

- David Frum

Politics, New, Will, Youthful

We, as conservative intellectuals, should not be in the business of making excuses for bad parliamentary decisions by Republican leaders in Congress.

- David Frum

Conservative, Bad, Making, Intellectuals

America under 30 is a more non-whites place than America over 60. And we know that non-whites and whites vote differently.

- David Frum

America, More, Over, Vote

If you go on TV and say there's no other country in the world where you can be born poor and become rich, you get a huge megaphone. If you tell the truth, which is that most of the studies show actually the United States is worse than anybody except Britain in upward mobility, there is no audience for you.

- David Frum

Country, Other, TV, Studies

I always believed as a speechwriter that if you could persuade the president to commit himself to certain words, he would feel himself committed to the ideas that underlay those words.

- David Frum

Always, Committed, Could, Believed

The thing that sustains a strong Fox network is the thing that undermines a strong Republican party.

- David Frum

Strong, Republican Party, Sustains

If right and left are competing to be the biggest victim, who is competing to be the government?

- David Frum

Government, Competing, Left, Victim

Events don't happen because I write a speech. I am allowed to write a speech because events are going to happen.

- David Frum

Happen, Going, I Write, Events

A novel makes it possible to understand not just events, but the people who control the events; not only their choices, but also their motives.

- David Frum

Understand, Motives, Makes, Events

People who watch a lot of Fox come away knowing a lot less about important world events.

- David Frum

Away, Come, About, Events

The five million people who watch cable news are the political nation, the people who really care.

- David Frum

Political, News, Nation, Million People

Partly because of the desperate economic situation in the country, what were once the leading institutions of conservatism are constrained.

- David Frum

Country, Desperate, Leading, Partly

The big winners under the American fiscal system are the rich, who pay some of the lowest taxes anywhere in the world; the old, who are the main beneficiaries of the American social service state; farmers, rural people. These are Republican constituencies.

- David Frum

Big, Some, Rural, Fiscal

The elite isn't leading anymore. It's trapped.

- David Frum

Trapped, Anymore, Leading, Elite

So if I have two pieces of cake, do I have twice as good an experience as the first piece of cake? One of the things I've found in life is that the first piece of cake is the best.

- David Frum

Best, Two, One Of The Things, Cake

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