--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you're looking for the safe choice…" description: "\"If you're looking for the safe choice, you shouldn't be supporting a black guy named Barack Obama to be the next leader of the free world.\" — Barack Obama" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ace/barack-obama-17_barack_if-you-re-looking-for-the-safe-choice-yo_1131807.jpg" --- # If you're looking for the safe choice, you shouldn't be… ![“If you're looking for the safe choice, you shouldn't be supporting a black guy named Barack Obama to be the next leader of the free world.” quote by Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ace/barack-obama-17_barack_if-you-re-looking-for-the-safe-choice-yo_1131807.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ace/barack-obama-17_barack_if-you-re-looking-for-the-safe-choice-yo_1131807.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ace/barack-obama-17_barack_if-you-re-looking-for-the-safe-choice-yo_1131807.jpg) > “If you're looking for the safe choice, you shouldn't be supporting a black guy named Barack Obama to be the next leader of the free world.” [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. Choosing a leader based on race is unsafe; implies bias against a black candidate. **In simple terms:** Racial bias is unsafe choice. Key Takeaway Reject prejudice in leadership choices. Themes politics prejudice leadership Mood critical concerned Type political opinion When to use this quote - voting - public discourse - campaigns - community meetings Key Concepts social justice ethics Questions to Reflect On - How can we move beyond racial bias? - What criteria matter most in leaders? A Different Perspective Leadership should be judged on policies, not race. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Choice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choice/) [Choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choices/) [Free world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/free-world/) [Leader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leader/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [Come to think of it, that word (choice) shouldn't be applied to people's destinies. Ever. Choice should be relegated to TV and meals: You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/come-to-think-of-it-that-word-choice-shouldn-t-be-applied-to-people-s/) [J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/) > [There are some who might say that somebody named Barack Obama can't be elected senator in the state of Illinois. They're probably the same…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/there-are-some-who-might-say-that-somebody-named-barack-obama-can-t/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [“The Kennedys decided we’re going to do an airlift. We’re going to go out to Africa and we’re going to start bringing young Africans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/the-kennedys-decided-we-re-going-to-do-an-airlift-we-re-going-to-go/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [ That applies, by the way, even to some of the folks who are now \[Donald\] Trump supporters. They're responding to a fictional character named… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/that-applies-by-the-way-even-to-some-of-the-folks-who-are-now-donald/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [I'm named Barack Hussein Obama. I'm African-­American.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-m-named-barack-hussein-obama-i-m-african-american/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Putin is a better leader than Obama, because Obama's not a leader, so he's certainly doing a better job than Obama is, and that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/putin-is-a-better-leader-than-obama-because-obama-s-not-a-leader-so/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [I think I'd have a good relationship with Putin. Who knows? He's been a leader far more than Barack Obama has been a leader.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/i-think-i-d-have-a-good-relationship-with-putin-who-knows-he-s-been-a/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [When I look at President Obama, I see a leader with a cool head, a caring heart and an open mind, a president who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-crist/when-i-look-at-president-obama-i-see-a-leader-with-a-cool-head-a/) [Charlie Crist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-crist/) > [“Average is always a safe choice, and it is the most dangerous choice you can make.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erwin-raphael-mcmanus/average-is-always-a-safe-choice-and-it-is-the-most-dangerous-choice/) [Erwin Raphael McManus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erwin-raphael-mcmanus/) > [“Even though copying what’s come before is a guaranteed path to mediocrity, it appears to be a safe choice, and the desire to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-catmull/even-though-copying-what-s-come-before-is-a-guaranteed-path-to/) [Ed Catmull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-catmull/) > [Buying a Ferrari is like buying Château Pétrus if you like fine wines. It's the safe choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-mason/buying-a-ferrari-is-like-buying-ch-teau-p-trus-if-you-like-fine-wines/) [Nick Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-mason/) > [It's a sad day when Myrnin is the safe choice, she thought. Apparently, he thought so, too, because he gave her a long, troubled…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-caine/it-s-a-sad-day-when-myrnin-is-the-safe-choice-she-thought-apparently/) [Rachel Caine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-caine/) > [“Even though copying what’s come before is a guaranteed path to mediocrity, it appears to be a safe choice, and the desire to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-catmull/even-though-copying-what-s-come-before-is-a-guaranteed-path-to-2/) [Ed Catmull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-catmull/) > [“This had seemed a safe choice, since to be against the Beatles (late-middle period) is to be against life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-amis/this-had-seemed-a-safe-choice-since-to-be-against-the-beatles-late/) [Martin Amis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-amis/) > [Police in Texas arrested a man who was using the alias 'Barack Obama' while trying to steal money from 35 ATMs. They could tell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-fallon/police-in-texas-arrested-a-man-who-was-using-the-alias-barack-obama/) [Jimmy Fallon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-fallon/) ## 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 Barack quotes > [ I can't imagine that I would be asked that by the president-elect \[Donald Trump\], or then-president \[Barack Obama\]. But it's - I'm very clear.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-mattis/i-can-t-imagine-that-i-would-be-asked-that-by-the-president-elect/) [James Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-mattis/) > [We know the candidate Barack Obama, what he was like - the anti-war government nig... America was a source for division around the world,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-santorum/we-know-the-candidate-barack-obama-what-he-was-like-the-anti-war/) [Rick Santorum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-santorum/) > [We're in more wars today under Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton than under George W. Bush or Ronald Reagan. Yet they tell you that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/we-re-in-more-wars-today-under-barack-obama-and-hillary-clinton-than/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [I can tell you who's planning terroris attacks. The leaders of ISIL. And I can tell you where they're at. They're in Raqqa, Syria.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-can-tell-you-who-s-planning-terroris-attacks-the-leaders-of-isil/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [ The president \[Barack Obama\] asked for a commitment of, I think, 100,000 jobs for veterans and military spouses over the next couple of years.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-obama/the-president-barack-obama-asked-for-a-commitment-of-i-think-100-000/) [Michelle Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-obama/) > [The big story today, Barack Obama was accused of insulting Sarah Palin when he criticized Republican policies by saying, you can put lipstick on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conan-o-brien/the-big-story-today-barack-obama-was-accused-of-insulting-sarah-palin/) [Conan O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conan-o-brien/) > [ I think the president's \[Barack Obama\] position has been very clear on Syria. He wants more aggressive, he's put the Special Ops on the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juan-williams/i-think-the-president-s-barack-obama-position-has-been-very-clear-on/) [Juan Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juan-williams/) > [ It cannot be an American fight. And I think what the president \[Barack Obama\] has consistently said - which I agree with - is… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/it-cannot-be-an-american-fight-and-i-think-what-the-president-barack/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [It doesn't matter to me where Barack Obama goes. If he wants to go to Hawaii because it's his home state, fine! Hunky-dory. Plastic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/it-doesn-t-matter-to-me-where-barack-obama-goes-if-he-wants-to-go-to/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [ It wasn't \[Barack\] Obama per se; it was the feeling on the ground; it was seeing an old black woman in a wheelchair being… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-ayers/it-wasn-t-barack-obama-per-se-it-was-the-feeling-on-the-ground-it-was/) [Bill Ayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-ayers/) > [I don't think that we really know a whole lot about Barack Obama at all that you would really call distinctive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-h-mcwhorter/i-don-t-think-that-we-really-know-a-whole-lot-about-barack-obama-at/) [John H. McWhorter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-h-mcwhorter/) > [Just like Barack Obama, my views on gay marriage have evolved, and now I am a reluctant groom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-white/just-like-barack-obama-my-views-on-gay-marriage-have-evolved-and-now/) [Edmund White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-white/) > [I think President Barack Obama has been an extraordinarily successful president, and that this period will record that with a bunch of exclamation points.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cass-sunstein/i-think-president-barack-obama-has-been-an-extraordinarily-successful/) [Cass Sunstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cass-sunstein/) > [The archives recall not one single incriminating incident, not one drunken escapade, not one reported affair, not one spat with a team-mate or reporter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-atherton/the-archives-recall-not-one-single-incriminating-incident-not-one/) Michael Atherton > [In public, Barack Obama's giving the simple version of his beliefs for the mass public. In private, he can discuss it at a really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-chait/in-public-barack-obama-s-giving-the-simple-version-of-his-beliefs-for/) [Jonathan Chait](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-chait/) Browse all 1,672 Barack quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If you're looking for the safe choice, you shouldn't be supporting a black guy named Barack Obama to be the next leader of the free world.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Barack Obama" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/if-you-re-looking-for-the-safe-choice-you-shouldn-t-be-supporting-a/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Barack" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/if-you-re-looking-for-the-safe-choice-you-shouldn-t-be-supporting-a/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ace/barack-obama-17_barack_if-you-re-looking-for-the-safe-choice-yo_1131807.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ace/barack-obama-17_barack_if-you-re-looking-for-the-safe-choice-yo_1131807.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ace/barack-obama-17_barack_if-you-re-looking-for-the-safe-choice-yo_1131807.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If you're looking for the safe choice, you shouldn't be supporting a black guy named Barack Obama to be the…” — Barack Obama", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Barack Obama", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If you're looking for the safe...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/if-you-re-looking-for-the-safe-choice-you-shouldn-t-be-supporting-a/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/if-you-re-looking-for-the-safe-choice-you-shouldn-t-be-supporting-a/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```