--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I would say that I have been consistent…" description: "\"I would say that I have been consistent in my broad view of how American power should be deployed, and the view that we underestimate our power when we..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/40b/barack-obama-17_ability_i-would-say-that-i-have-been-consistent_1470790.jpg" --- # I would say that I have been consistent in my broad view… ![“I would say that I have been consistent in my broad view of how American power should be deployed, and the view that we underestimate our power when we restrict it to just our military power. We shortchange our influence and our ability to shape events when that's the only tool we think we have in…” quote by Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/40b/barack-obama-17_ability_i-would-say-that-i-have-been-consistent_1470790.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/40b/barack-obama-17_ability_i-would-say-that-i-have-been-consistent_1470790.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/40b/barack-obama-17_ability_i-would-say-that-i-have-been-consistent_1470790.jpg) > “I would say that I have been consistent in my broad view of how American power should be deployed, and the view that we underestimate our power when we restrict it to just our military power. We shortchange our influence and our ability to shape events when that's the only tool we think we have in the toolbox.” [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Effective influence requires more than military force; diplomatic, economic, and cultural tools are essential for shaping global events. **In simple terms:** Power comes from many tools, not just the military. Key Takeaway Leverage all aspects of national strength. Themes leadership strategy power dynamics Mood strategic inspirational Type political policy When to use this quote - policy making - diplomacy - economic development - public diplomacy Key Concepts international relations soft power Questions to Reflect On - What non‑military tools can enhance national influence? - How can soft power complement hard power? A Different Perspective Relying solely on military may limit long‑term impact. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) [American power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-power/) [Broads](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/broads/) [Consistent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consistent/) [Events](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/events/) [Has beens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/has-beens/) [Influence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/influence/) [Military](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/military/) [Military power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/military-power/) [Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power/) [Power Deployed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power-deployed-5336062/) [Shapes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shapes/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Toolbox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/toolbox/) [Tools](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tools/) [Underestimate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/underestimate/) [Underestimate Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/underestimate-power/) [Views](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/views/) ## Related quotes > [When it comes to preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, I will take no options off the table. ... That includes all elements…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/when-it-comes-to-preventing-iran-from-obtaining-a-nuclear-weapon-i/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [We will continue to deepen our engagement using every element of American power - diplomacy, military, economic development, the power of our values and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/we-will-continue-to-deepen-our-engagement-using-every-element-of/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Too often we underestimate the power of a touch...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-buscaglia/too-often-we-underestimate-the-power-of-a-touch/) [Leo Buscaglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-buscaglia/) > [People underestimate the power of the root vegetable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-tosi/people-underestimate-the-power-of-the-root-vegetable/) [Christina Tosi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-tosi/) > [ \[Never underestimate\] the power of dinner. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-roberts/never-underestimate-the-power-of-dinner/) [Julia Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-roberts/) > [“His father had told him time and again never to underestimate the power of something that could kill you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-hill/his-father-had-told-him-time-and-again-never-to-underestimate-the/) [C.J. 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Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [The point is, stories can be all lengths. Never underestimate the power of “less is more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darynda-jones/the-point-is-stories-can-be-all-lengths-never-underestimate-the-power/) [Darynda Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darynda-jones/) > [One should never underestimate the power of books.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-auster/one-should-never-underestimate-the-power-of-books/) [Paul Auster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-auster/) > [Don't underestimate the power of prayer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/don-t-underestimate-the-power-of-prayer/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Barack Obama > [So here's what I want you to know, and here's what I want all our men and women in uniform to know: Because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/so-here-s-what-i-want-you-to-know-and-here-s-what-i-want-all-our-men/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [The peaceful transition of power is one of the hallmarks of our democracy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/the-peaceful-transition-of-power-is-one-of-the-hallmarks-of-our/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [As opposed to getting into arguments about, well, these folks have been treated fairly so now we're going to be doing things that, very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/as-opposed-to-getting-into-arguments-about-well-these-folks-have-been/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Donald Trump is temperamentally unfit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/donald-trump-is-temperamentally-unfit/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [What we've said to the girls is: 'If you guys ever decide that you're going to get a tattoo, then mommy and me will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/what-we-ve-said-to-the-girls-is-if-you-guys-ever-decide-that-you-re/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Nobody is listening to your telephone calls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/nobody-is-listening-to-your-telephone-calls/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [All of us take offense to anyone who reaps the rewards of living in America without taking on the responsibilities of living in America.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/all-of-us-take-offense-to-anyone-who-reaps-the-rewards-of-living-in/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [The world is complicated and full of grays, but there's still truth there to be found.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/the-world-is-complicated-and-full-of-grays-but-there-s-still-truth/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [ That is another theme in the book \[Dreams from My Father\]. How do we exercise more empathy in our public discourse? How do we… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/that-is-another-theme-in-the-book-dreams-from-my-father-how-do-we/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [I can say across Europe that many principles that have been taken for granted here around free speech, and around civil liberties and an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-can-say-across-europe-that-many-principles-that-have-been-taken-for/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [So Americans understand the costs of war. Yet as a country, we will never tolerate our security being threatened, nor stand idly by when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/so-americans-understand-the-costs-of-war-yet-as-a-country-we-will/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [I want to thank the Greek people publicly for their humanitarian response to the crisis of so many migrants and refugees seeking safety in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-want-to-thank-the-greek-people-publicly-for-their-humanitarian/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [We had a farewell dinner for some of my senior staff, and generally everybody likes to talk about how cool I was.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/we-had-a-farewell-dinner-for-some-of-my-senior-staff-and-generally/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [ It's good to get fresh legs in \[the White house\]. I think that it refreshes our democracy. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/it-s-good-to-get-fresh-legs-in-the-white-house-i-think-that-it/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Believe it or not, entertainment is part of our American diplomacy, it is part of what makes us exceptional, part of what makes us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/believe-it-or-not-entertainment-is-part-of-our-american-diplomacy-it/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) [Explore all 3,624 Barack Obama quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) ## More Ability quotes > [I don't think there's a direct correlation between my sexuality and my skiing ability. But I think because I was so concerned about it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gus-kenworthy/i-don-t-think-there-s-a-direct-correlation-between-my-sexuality-and/) [Gus Kenworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gus-kenworthy/) > [“the importance of ability. The things that make a great job great, I discovered, are rare and valuable. If you want them in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-newport/the-importance-of-ability-the-things-that-make-a-great-job-great-i/) [Cal Newport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-newport/) > [Ambition drives you on, ability certainly helps, but the fickle finger of fate and luck are great things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fergus-henderson/ambition-drives-you-on-ability-certainly-helps-but-the-fickle-finger/) [Fergus Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fergus-henderson/) > [The ability of the gospel to unite us on common strengths and common truths is one of the great miracles . . . of the gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/the-ability-of-the-gospel-to-unite-us-on-common-strengths-and-common/) [Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [Maybe law enforcement would like the ability to turn on the camera on your Mac.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-cook/maybe-law-enforcement-would-like-the-ability-to-turn-on-the-camera-on/) [Tim Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-cook/) > [I've seen guys come along with more ability - they've been faster or bigger or stronger - but they never worked hard to develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-largent/i-ve-seen-guys-come-along-with-more-ability-they-ve-been-faster-or/) [Steve Largent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-largent/) > [The youth of India has the strength to move the entire World with a click of a mouse, we have generated that ability!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/the-youth-of-india-has-the-strength-to-move-the-entire-world-with-a/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine, Nor age so eat up my invention, Nor fortune made such havoc of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/time-hath-not-yet-so-dried-this-blood-of-mine-nor-age-so-eat-up-my/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [An absolutely necessary part of a writer's equipment, almost as necessary as talent, is the ability to stand up under punishment, both the punishment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irwin-shaw/an-absolutely-necessary-part-of-a-writer-s-equipment-almost-as/) [Irwin Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irwin-shaw/) > [I'd be more frightened by not using whatever abilities I'd been given. I'd be more frightened by procrastination and laziness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-d-be-more-frightened-by-not-using-whatever-abilities-i-d-been-given/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Take what I cannot give: my heart, body, thoughts, time, abilities, money, health, strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-prentiss/bring-into-captivity-every-thought-to-the-obedience-of-christ-take/) [Elizabeth Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-prentiss/) > [You can only do the work to the very best of your ability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-baranski/you-can-only-do-the-work-to-the-very-best-of-your-ability/) [Christine Baranski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-baranski/) > [Judge a person not by his ability to make money but by his ability to retain it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/judge-a-person-not-by-his-ability-to-make-money-but-by-his-ability-to/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Bobby had faith in my ability as a singer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-london/bobby-had-faith-in-my-ability-as-a-singer/) [Julie London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-london/) [Browse all 9,990 Ability quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I would say that I have been consistent in my broad view of how American power should be deployed, and the view that we underestimate our power when we restrict it to just our military power. 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