Action Quote by Allen West
“In Obama's case, we've enabled affirmative action to find a home in the nation's highest office. There you have it. I said it and I stand by it. America fell for the gimmick candidate, disregarding every fact and warning sign in the rush to have 'the first African-American president.'”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Campaign remarks, 2008 US Presidential Election
The speaker claims affirmative action helped the first African-American president win, suggesting the election was driven by identity politics rather than merit.
In simple terms: Affirmative action helped elect Obama, according to the speaker.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the role of identity in politics.
Themes
politics
identity
affirmative action
race
leadership
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
political
controversial
When to use this quote
- political analysis
- media commentary
- public discourse
- election strategy
Key Concepts
social dynamics
electoral strategy
media influence
Questions to Reflect On
- How does identity affect voter decisions?
- Is affirmative action beneficial or harmful in elections?
A Different Perspective
Critics argue the election was about qualifications, not identity.
![“I think the whole dynamic is different. Whereas in [Barack] Obama's case, even though there was no incumbent, he was able to run against eight years of Bush-Cheney and a Republican Congress, and everyone was tired of everything. He was able to benefit from that.” quote by William Kristol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/38f/william-kristol-9091_able_i-think-the-whole-dynamic-is-different-w_1386317.jpg)
