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David Gergen on the cover of his book, Eyewitness to Power.

David Richmond Gergen (born May 9, 1942) was a political consultant and presidential advisor during the Republican administrations of Nixon, Ford, and Reagan. He was also a campaign staffer for George H.W. Bush's 1980 presidential campaign. While remaining a member of the Republican Party, he also served as an adviser to Democratic President Bill Clinton, first as a Counselor on both foreign policy and domestic affairs and then as Special International Advisor to then-Secretary of State Warren Christopher.[1]

David Gergen is a political contributor to CNN and frequently appears on Anderson Cooper 360. He also appears on MSNBC's Hardball with Chris Matthews. He moderated PBS's World@Large discussion program for two seasons.[2]

Gergen earned his bachelor's degree from Yale University in 1963 and his law degree from Harvard University in 1967. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. In addition, he has been a member in many elite, influential, and exclusive groups, such as The Trilateral Commission, Bohemian Grove, and the Bilderberg Group, while serving the U.S. government. [3]].

Following his years in public service, Gergen has been actively involved in higher education. As of 2006 Gergen is a professor of public service at Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government and director of its Center for Public Leadership. He serves as editor-at-large at U.S. News & World Report and a professor of public service and director of the Center for Public Leadership at the Kennedy School of Government. A native of Durham, North Carolina, David Gergen has also taught at Duke University, where he is now a trustee. Gergen served as Elon University's inaugural Isabella Cannon Distinguished Visiting Professor of Leadership and as the Chair of the Elon University School of Law Advisory Board.

Gergen's frequent television appearances as a political commentator and pundit have occasionally made him the target of satire. In a biting critique of Sunday morning political talk shows, humorist Joe Bob Briggs made the observation that David Gergen bore an uncanny resemblance to The Cat in the Hat.

Gergen served in the U.S. Navy, and is a well-known proponent of mandatory national service (also known as a draft or conscription).

Gergen's brother, Kenneth Gergen, is a psychologist and professor at Swarthmore College.

• List of U.S. political appointments that crossed party lines

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David Gergen

• Official personal website
• PBS Biography on David Gergen
• 'Straight Line Projections' (role as political commentator)
• David Gergen speaks to Jane Wales at the World Affairs Council of Northern Cal [video