Bret Stephens Quotes & Sayings

I think a Donald Trump presidency raises a new kind of version of conservatism which more closely resembles a kind of Father Coughlin, America first populism and nativism and isolationism, than the confident, modern, cosmopolitan, thoughtful, engaged conservatism of Ronald Reagan and Paul Ryan. — Bret Stephens

When George W. Bush decided to save the American position in Iraq by going against the advice of all of his wise men, of Jim Baker and the whole Iraq Study Group, and 90% of his administration, that was George W. Bush's decision. So we have to bear in mind that this isn't an administration we're electing. It's a person that we are electing. — Bret Stephens

The United States survives so long as at least one of its major parties is politically and intellectually healthy. — Bret Stephens

In the Middle East there are two kinds of regimes - those that could be worse, and those that couldn't be worse. — Bret Stephens

I have been writing about Hillary Clinton, I just actually looked this up, since 1998 when she was busy standing by when Suha Arafat was launching anti-Semitic tirades against Israel and the Jews. — Bret Stephens

If, in 2008, I could have not been in equities, I wouldn't have been in equities. If I could have not bet on the Seahawks in the Super Bowl, I wouldn't have bet on the Seahawks. Life and statesmanship are not lived with the benefit of hindsight. — Bret Stephens

I have a very, very hard time voting for Mrs. [Hillary] Clinton. — Bret Stephens

In taking care with language, we take care of ourselves. — Bret Stephens

I don't think the Republican Party, or I should say the Republican Party as the vehicle for modern American conservative ideas, survives with Donald Trump. — Bret Stephens

The presidency of Barack Obama is a case study in stupid does, — Bret Stephens

I think it would take [Paul] Ryan. I don't know if [Mitch] McConnell has the standing in the party. But you know, just quickly, Hugh, you know, politically, first of all, this should not be a time to politicize this event the way it has been. But there, you have the President blaming Christians, Republicans and everyone except ... — Bret Stephens

Hillary Clinton, as awful as I find her, is a survivable event. I'm not so sure about [Donald] Trump. — Bret Stephens

I think a Donald Trump presidency sets up an Elizabeth Warren ascendancy. And it not Elizabeth Warren, someone of her ilk. And I think that's dreadful. — Bret Stephens

Hillary Clinton's record in office is dreadful. Her ideas are dreadful. They will make us less safe. So, but there is no way I'm going to vote for a guy who is just totally uninformed, un-presidential as Donald Trump is. — Bret Stephens

I will never vote for Donald Trump. — Bret Stephens

When it comes to trade, when it comes to standing up to countries like North Korea, when it comes to standing up to guys like Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump is not a conservative. — Bret Stephens

Who knows better than you what it means to have a commander-in-chief who lived his entire life, who lived throughout the entire Cold War, and doesn't know what the nuclear triad is? It's absolutely astonishing. And so it's terrific to have Joe Dunford and you know, perhaps John Bolton and other people in positions of trust. — Bret Stephens

The dismissal of any of these people would send a useful signal to U.S. allies that the president has the nerve - and self-awareness - to make a change. — Bret Stephens

The debate over the inherent benefits of Pax Americana should have been settled long ago. But history only settles great debates for as long as people can remember the history. — Bret Stephens