Christianity Quote by Andrew McCarthy
““Obama’s formative background is the left-wing fever swamp of Chicago “community organizing,” a gussied-up term for systematic rabble-rousing that has now become acceptable enough to put on a résumé. The pursuit of raw power is the gospel according to the seminal organizer, Saul Alinsky—if we may use “gospel” in connection with an atheist whose most famous book, Rules for Radicals, opens with an ode to Lucifer for winning his own kingdom by rebelling against the establishment.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview, 2023, political commentary
The quote critiques the activist roots of Obama, likening community organizing to radical, anti-establishment tactics inspired by Saul Alinsky’s ideas.
In simple terms: It suggests Obama’s early work was radical and power‑driven.
Key Takeaway
Question the true motives behind political organizing.
Themes
politics
power
activism
media
history
Mood
skeptical
critical
analytical
Type
quote
analysis
commentary
When to use this quote
- campaign analysis
- public policy debates
- media criticism
- activist training
- political biographies
Key Concepts
Saul Alinsky
radicalism
political strategy
media framing
Questions to Reflect On
- How do personal backgrounds shape political narratives?
- What evidence supports or refutes this portrayal?
A Different Perspective
The comparison may oversimplify complex political histories and ignore broader influences.
![“[Barack] Obama isn't pointing to anyone, and certainly doesn't like it when others note (correctly) that his influences were the likes of Saul Alinsky, the Chicagoan and modern founder of community organizing, or Frank Marshall Davis, the communist journalist and agitator from Chicago who mentored…” quote by Paul Kengor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b0a/paul-kengor-14302_acknowledge_barack-obama-isn-t-pointing-to-anyone-an_1938904.jpg)
![“The power of the gospel lies[...] in the powerful announcement that God is God, that Jesus is Lord, that the powers of evil have been defeated, that God's new world has begun.” quote by N. T. Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ded/n-t-wright-2-2245_announcements_the-power-of-the-gospel-lies-in-the-powe_2448796.jpg)
