Abraham Quote by Barack Obama
“One of the things that you learn, having been in this [President's] office for four years, is the old adage of Abraham Lincoln's. That with public opinion there's nothing you can't do and without public opinion there's very little you can get done.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Remarks at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, 2015
Public opinion is the decisive force in politics; without it, leaders have little power, and with it, they can achieve anything.
In simple terms: Public opinion determines political success.
Cultivate and respect public sentiment.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- campaign strategy
- policy advocacy
- public speaking
- media relations
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you gauge genuine public sentiment?
- What risks arise from relying too heavily on public opinion?
Public opinion can be fickle and manipulated, limiting reliable action.