The 2008 election settled nothing, not even for a while. Our national politics are reflecting what appears to be going on geologically, on the bottom of the oceans and beneath the crust of the Earth: the tectonic plates are moving. Peggy Noonan More Quotes by Peggy Noonan More Quotes From Peggy Noonan When everyone in America knows you're in a dreadful position, admit you're in a dreadful position. Don't lie about it and make them roll their eyes, tell the truth and make them blink. Peggy Noonan eye lying america Wit penetrates; humor envelops. Wit is a function of verbal intelligence; humor is imagination operating on good nature. Peggy Noonan wit function imagination Now he is a statesman, when what he really wants is to be what most reporters are, adult delinquents. Peggy Noonan journalism adults want Do not be afriad! I can see that Americans are not afraid. They are not afraid of the sun, they are not afraid of the wind, they are not afraid of 'today'. They are, generally speaking, brave, good people. And so I say to you today, always be brave. Do not be afraid. Do not be afraid. God is with you. Do not be afraid to search for God-then you will truly be the land of the free, the home of the brave. God Bless America. Peggy Noonan land home wind I guess the second-term team is not quite as adoring as the first. Peggy Noonan term team firsts The Democratic Party's complete obeisance to [the abortion] lobby makes Democrats look bought, frightened and craven. Peggy Noonan abortion party looks But one immediate thing can be done right now, and that is: lower the temperature. Any way you can, and everybody. Just lower it. Peggy Noonan temperature done way [democrats] have become the party of snobs. You have become the party of Americans who think they're better than other Americans. Peggy Noonan politics party thinking In the 1950s and '60s the [democrat] party included many obviously earnest and thoughtful liberals who supported goals that were in line with and expressions of serious beliefs. They believed that America was an exceptional country. Peggy Noonan thoughtful party country The Democrats often seem like the Not Republican Party, no more and no less. Peggy Noonan republican politics party The Democratic party should say, "Thank you very much, but you know what, we're going back to be a big-tent party. Broad on social issues like this, we are declaring, go with your heart if you truly feel that you can be, that you are pro-life, and you wanna be pro-life, and a Democrat, go for it." The Democratic party has I think been hurt very badly in terms of its national reputation with this narrow, sort of, you can't be in our party if you don't hold the right views on abortion. It would be a brilliant political move if they opened up. Peggy Noonan party hurt moving Mr. Bush has squandered the hard-built paternity of 40 years. But so has the party, and so have its leaders. If they had pushed away for serious reasons, they could have separated the party's fortunes from the president's. This would have left a painfully broken party, but they wouldn't be left with a ruined brand,- as they all say, speaking the language of marketing. And they speak that language because they are marketers, not thinkers. Not serious about policy. Not serious about ideas. And not serious about leadership, only followership. Peggy Noonan party years ideas No news conferences? Interviews now only with friendly journalists? You can't be president or vice president and govern in that style, as a sequestered figure. This has been Mr. Bush's style the past few years, and see where it got us. You must address America in its entirety, not as a sliver or a series of slivers but as a full and whole entity, a great nation trying to hold together. When you don't, when you play only to your little piece, you contribute to its fracturing. Peggy Noonan play past years There should be a name for this, for the process whereby one knows one is being yanked and concedes it has been done successfully - that one is grateful to have been spun. In the theater, it is called the willing suspension of disbelief. That's what allows the play to make an impact on the audience: they have to be able to make believe that what's happening on the stage is really happening. Maybe to a degree it is a requirement for all political participation, all effective political communication, too. Peggy Noonan grateful communication believe Ted Sorrenson, JFK's presidential speech writer, when asked how it came about that he wrote the "ask not what you can do..." speech, he would answer 'ask not.' Peggy Noonan presidential speech answers Abortion is either OK or it's not. Peggy Noonan abortion Speeches are not magic and there is no great speech without great policy. Peggy Noonan policy magic speech The core of the concept of a bribe is an inducement improperly influencing the performance of a public function meant to be gratuitously exercised. Peggy Noonan function influence performances Speeches are more important in politics than talking points, as a rule, and are better remembered. Peggy Noonan speech important talking Here is an old tradition badly in need of return: You have to earn your way into politics. You should go have a life, build a string of accomplishments, then enter public service. Peggy Noonan return accomplishment way
