--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The problem is that this kind of…" description: "\"“The problem is that this kind of vilification and over-the-top rhetoric closes the door to the possibility of compromise. It undermines democratic del..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/920/barack-obama-17_white-house_the-problem-is-that-this-kind-of-vilific_2698173.jpg" --- # The problem is that this kind of vilification and… ![“The problem is that this kind of vilification and over-the-top rhetoric closes the door to the possibility of compromise. It undermines democratic deliberation. It prevents learning –- since, after all, why should we listen to a “fascist,” or a “socialist,” or a “right-wing nut,” or a left-wing…” quote by Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/920/barack-obama-17_white-house_the-problem-is-that-this-kind-of-vilific_2698173.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/920/barack-obama-17_white-house_the-problem-is-that-this-kind-of-vilific_2698173.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/920/barack-obama-17_white-house_the-problem-is-that-this-kind-of-vilific_2698173.jpg) > ““The problem is that this kind of vilification and over-the-top rhetoric closes the door to the possibility of compromise. It undermines democratic deliberation. It prevents learning –- since, after all, why should we listen to a “fascist,” or a “socialist,” or a “right-wing nut,” or a left-wing nut”? It makes it nearly impossible for people who have legitimate but bridgeable differences to sit down at the same table and hash things out. It robs us of a rational and serious debate, the one we need to have about the very real and very big challenges facing this nation. It coarsens our culture, and at its worst, it can send signals to the most extreme elements of our society that perhaps violence is a justifiable response. So what do we do? As I found out after a year in the White House, changing this type of politics is not easy. And part of what civility requires is that we recall the simple lesson most of us learned from our parents: Treat others as you would like to be treated, with courtesy and respect. (Applause.) But civility in this age also requires something more than just asking if we can’t just all get along.”” [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. Extreme rhetoric blocks compromise, harms democratic dialogue, and can incite violence; civility demands respect and willingness to engage despite differences. **In simple terms:** Harsh language stops compromise and dialogue. Key Takeaway Practice respectful discourse even with opponents. Themes civility politics dialogue polarization democracy Mood concerned hopeful serious Type political inspirational reflective When to use this quote - political debates - community meetings - online discussions - media commentary Key Concepts respect empathy civil discourse political communication Questions to Reflect On - How can we encourage respectful dialogue in polarized environments? - What role does empathy play in reducing political hostility? A Different Perspective Extremist rhetoric may persist despite calls for civility. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [White house](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/white-house/) ## Related quotes > [Civility also requires relearning how to disagree without being disagreeable. Surely you can question my policies without questioning my faith or, for that matter,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/civility-also-requires-relearning-how-to-disagree-without-being/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [When I listen to a fascist, like Rush Limbaugh or Tom Delay or somebody like that, they help me define my views. I ask…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-belzer/when-i-listen-to-a-fascist-like-rush-limbaugh-or-tom-delay-or/) [Richard Belzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-belzer/) > [Civilization depends on, and civility often requires, the willingness to say, 'What you are doing is none of my business' and 'What I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-will/civilization-depends-on-and-civility-often-requires-the-willingness/) [George Will](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-will/) > [Almost every man we meet requires some civility; requires to be humored; - he has some fame, some talent, some whim of religion or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/almost-every-man-we-meet-requires-some-civility-requires-to-be/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [And whether I earned your vote or not, I have listened to you. I have learned from you. And you’ve made me a better…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/and-whether-i-earned-your-vote-or-not-i-have-listened-to-you-i-have/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [You know, when I made a series of overtures to the Republicans, going over to meet with both Republican caucuses, you know, putting three…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/you-know-when-i-made-a-series-of-overtures-to-the-republicans-going/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [ \[The White House staff\] start bringing in their kids, who you think should be babies and now are in second grade or something, and… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/the-white-house-staff-start-bringing-in-their-kids-who-you-think/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [We're up against the conventional thinking that says your ability to lead as president comes from longevity in Washington or proximity to the White…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/we-re-up-against-the-conventional-thinking-that-says-your-ability-to/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [ Our kids grew up here \[in the White House\]. Some of our best friends have been made here in this place. There have been… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/our-kids-grew-up-here-in-the-white-house-some-of-our-best-friends/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [How you staff, particularly the chief of staff, the national security adviser, your White House counsel, how you set up a process in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/how-you-staff-particularly-the-chief-of-staff-the-national-security/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [When you've got little kids, and you're tucking them in. When you open a door and they're in their pajamas and they're, you know,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/when-you-ve-got-little-kids-and-you-re-tucking-them-in-when-you-open/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [ \[White House is\] the finest prison in the world. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/white-house-is-the-finest-prison-in-the-world/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [ I don't take a dime of their \[lobbyist\] money, and when I am president, they won't find a job in my White House. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-don-t-take-a-dime-of-their-lobbyist-money-and-when-i-am-president/) [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/) > [“Fortunately, I knew the cardinal rule of getting on with one’s fellow cooks. It applies in any kitchen and can be summed up in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-p-pin/fortunately-i-knew-the-cardinal-rule-of-getting-on-with-one-s-fellow/) [Jacques Pépin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-p-pin/) ## 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 White house quotes > [“Fortunately, I knew the cardinal rule of getting on with one’s fellow cooks. It applies in any kitchen and can be summed up in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-p-pin/fortunately-i-knew-the-cardinal-rule-of-getting-on-with-one-s-fellow/) [Jacques Pépin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-p-pin/) > [I had to perform at the White House for the president, That's always kind of a weird set to try to put together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-foxworthy/i-had-to-perform-at-the-white-house-for-the-president-that-s-always/) [Jeff Foxworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-foxworthy/) > [How do you, on the one hand, not object to Hillary Clinton being elected, and then, on the other hand, tell people, "Elect me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/how-do-you-on-the-one-hand-not-object-to-hillary-clinton-being/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [I don't think they need to be nice to reporters, but the White House seems to imagine that releasing information is like a tap…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-packer/i-don-t-think-they-need-to-be-nice-to-reporters-but-the-white-house/) [George Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-packer/) > [So, President Obama wants to change America. I understand that. We don't need to change America. We need to change the White House. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-diaz-balart/so-president-obama-wants-to-change-america-i-understand-that-we-don-t/) [Mario Diaz-Balart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-diaz-balart/) > [I think that if you look at all of the books that have ever been written about people working in the White House, they're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alyssa-mastromonaco/i-think-that-if-you-look-at-all-of-the-books-that-have-ever-been/) [Alyssa Mastromonaco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alyssa-mastromonaco/) > [Since I came to the White House, I got two hearing aids, a colon operation, skin cancer, a prostate operation, and I was shot.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/since-i-came-to-the-white-house-i-got-two-hearing-aids-a-colon/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [I am a member of that small, little group that covers - I'm a member of the White House correspondents association. I go to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/i-am-a-member-of-that-small-little-group-that-covers-i-m-a-member-of/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [The public should begin to understand that there's nothing that comes out of this campaign, or this Obama White House, that they can believe.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-sununu/the-public-should-begin-to-understand-that-there-s-nothing-that-comes/) [John Sununu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-sununu/) > [ 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/) > [There are many great outlets that we love and respect, but 'The North Star' really is going to be a hard news outlet with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaun-king/there-are-many-great-outlets-that-we-love-and-respect-but-the-north/) [Shaun King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaun-king/) > [By disgracing and degrading the presidency of the United States, by fleeing the White House like a diseased cur, Richard Nixon broke the heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/by-disgracing-and-degrading-the-presidency-of-the-united-states-by/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [“The hunger for power has made them cruel They shed humanity and shed every rule They bow to the devil, deny what is just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohammed-zaki-ansari/the-hunger-for-power-has-made-them-cruel-they-shed-humanity-and-shed/) [Mohammed Zaki Ansari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohammed-zaki-ansari/) > [Remember chief of staff Rahm Emanuel's callous enjoinder 'you never want a serious crisis to go to waste'? This White House is a serious…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-tyrrell/remember-chief-of-staff-rahm-emanuel-s-callous-enjoinder-you-never/) [Bob Tyrrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-tyrrell/) > [ I learned more in those six months \[ in the White House\] than in the prior six years. I don't think that anybody who… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/van-jones/i-learned-more-in-those-six-months-in-the-white-house-than-in-the/) [Van Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/van-jones/) [Browse all 1,892 White house quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/white-house/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The problem is that this kind of vilification and over-the-top rhetoric closes the door to the possibility of compromise. It undermines democratic deliberation. It prevents learning –- since, after all, why should we listen to a “fascist,” or a “socialist,” or a “right-wing nut,” or a left-wing nut”? It makes it nearly impossible for people who have legitimate but bridgeable differences to sit down at the same table and hash things out. It robs us of a rational and serious debate, the one we need to have about the very real and very big challenges facing this nation. It coarsens our culture, and at its worst, it can send signals to the most extreme elements of our society that perhaps violence is a justifiable response. So what do we do? As I found out after a year in the White House, changing this type of politics is not easy. And part of what civility requires is that we recall the simple lesson most of us learned from our parents: Treat others as you would like to be treated, with courtesy and respect. (Applause.) 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