--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I really thought, with my background…" description: "\"I really thought, with my background growing up, and my service, and all that, I thought it would be enough for the presidency. But... It sure was enou..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/47e/bob-dole-8280_background_i-really-thought-with-my-background-grow_2720449.jpg" --- # I really thought, with my background growing up, and my… ![“I really thought, with my background growing up, and my service, and all that, I thought it would be enough for the presidency. But... It sure was enough when I ran for Congress.” quote by Bob Dole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/47e/bob-dole-8280_background_i-really-thought-with-my-background-grow_2720449.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/47e/bob-dole-8280_background_i-really-thought-with-my-background-grow_2720449.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/47e/bob-dole-8280_background_i-really-thought-with-my-background-grow_2720449.jpg) > “I really thought, with my background growing up, and my service, and all that, I thought it would be enough for the presidency. But... It sure was enough when I ran for Congress.” [Bob Dole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-dole/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Personal achievements may feel sufficient for lower offices but insufficient for higher ambitions like the presidency. **In simple terms:** Achievement gaps at higher levels. Key Takeaway Assess readiness for higher goals. Themes politics career ambition Mood determined reflective Type political personal When to use this quote - campaigning - career planning - self‑assessment Key Concepts leadership public service Questions to Reflect On - What skills are missing? - How can you bridge the gap? A Different Perspective Higher goals demand broader support. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Background](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/background/) [Congress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/congress/) [Enough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enough/) [Growing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/growing/) [Growing up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/growing-up/) [Presidency](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/presidency/) [Presidency Sure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/presidency-sure-2877431/) [Ran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ran/) [Ran Congress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ran-congress-492882/) [Really](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/really/) [Service](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/service/) [Sure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sure/) [Sure Ran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sure-ran-2877432/) [Thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thought/) [Thought Presidency](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thought-presidency-2877433/) [Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trump/) [Up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/up/) [Would](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/would/) ## Related quotes > [I ran for Congress because I want to make sure others have the same chance at the dream that I had for generations to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ami-bera/i-ran-for-congress-because-i-want-to-make-sure-others-have-the-same/) [Ami Bera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ami-bera/) > [I ran for Congress in 1992, but I lost the election, and I really dropped the idea of ever serving in Congress. Eventually, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lois-frankel/i-ran-for-congress-in-1992-but-i-lost-the-election-and-i-really/) [Lois Frankel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lois-frankel/) > [My father ran for Congress in 2004, and I got a sense that there is no way to achieve much success without a certain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-clooney/my-father-ran-for-congress-in-2004-and-i-got-a-sense-that-there-is-no/) [George Clooney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-clooney/) > [When I first ran for Congress in 1998, people counted me out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tammy-baldwin/when-i-first-ran-for-congress-in-1998-people-counted-me-out/) [Tammy Baldwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tammy-baldwin/) > [In 2004, I ran for Congress and lost. In 2006, I ran again and won - defeating Richard Pombo, a seven-term Republican incumbent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-mcnerney/in-2004-i-ran-for-congress-and-lost-in-2006-i-ran-again-and-won/) [Jerry McNerney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-mcnerney/) > [I ran for Congress not because I was having a mid-life crisis. I left the private sector because I saw a looming financial crisis…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-daines/i-ran-for-congress-not-because-i-was-having-a-mid-life-crisis-i-left/) [Steve Daines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-daines/) > [In 2010, I ran for Congress in a Democratic primary against someone who had been there for 18 years. 'The Daily News' endorsed me.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reshma-saujani/in-2010-i-ran-for-congress-in-a-democratic-primary-against-someone/) [Reshma Saujani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reshma-saujani/) > [The number one thing I will take with me is my experience as a social worker who saw what happened to families who couldn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyrsten-sinema/the-number-one-thing-i-will-take-with-me-is-my-experience-as-a-social/) [Kyrsten Sinema](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyrsten-sinema/) > [I ran for Congress as a first-time candidate to fight to protect everyone with a pre-existing condition, to bring down the skyrocketing costs of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elissa-slotkin/i-ran-for-congress-as-a-first-time-candidate-to-fight-to-protect/) [Elissa Slotkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elissa-slotkin/) > [I ran for Congress in 1996 to help Ted Kennedy pass a comprehensive health insurance reform bill.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-mcgovern/i-ran-for-congress-in-1996-to-help-ted-kennedy-pass-a-comprehensive/) [Jim McGovern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-mcgovern/) > [When I ran for Congress I promised to help make health care affordable again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-jindal/when-i-ran-for-congress-i-promised-to-help-make-health-care/) [Bobby Jindal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-jindal/) > [I ran for Congress in 2012 because I had had enough. Enough of career politicians, enough of political gamesmanship, and enough of the lack…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-yoho/i-ran-for-congress-in-2012-because-i-had-had-enough-enough-of-career/) [Ted Yoho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-yoho/) > [From day one, I've always tried to be an honest man. I ran for Congress to make a difference and not to just be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vance-mcallister/from-day-one-i-ve-always-tried-to-be-an-honest-man-i-ran-for-congress/) [Vance McAllister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vance-mcallister/) > [ It was fascinating what a total interest he \[John F. Kennedy\] had in his tradecraft of being a politician. I didn't realize before that… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-matthews/it-was-fascinating-what-a-total-interest-he-john-f-kennedy-had-in-his/) [Chris Matthews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-matthews/) > [When I first ran for Congress, I went to my daughter Alexandra, who was going to be a senior in high school, and said:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-pelosi/when-i-first-ran-for-congress-i-went-to-my-daughter-alexandra-who-was/) [Nancy Pelosi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-pelosi/) ## More by Bob Dole > [It's going to be hard for someone like me to run for president.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-dole/it-s-going-to-be-hard-for-someone-like-me-to-run-for-president/) [Bob Dole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-dole/) > [I will seek the presidency with nothing to fall back on but the judgment of the people of the United States, and nowhere to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-dole/i-will-seek-the-presidency-with-nothing-to-fall-back-on-but-the/) [Bob Dole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-dole/) > [ The California proposition \[Prop. 187\] is one I would agree with. That's the easiest way to put it. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-dole/the-california-proposition-prop-187-is-one-i-would-agree-with-that-s/) [Bob Dole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-dole/) > [A government that seizes control of the economy for the good of the people, ends up seizing control of the people for the good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-dole/a-government-that-seizes-control-of-the-economy-for-the-good-of-the/) [Bob Dole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-dole/) > [I've never known a lot of rich people. It's not my bag.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-dole/i-ve-never-known-a-lot-of-rich-people-it-s-not-my-bag/) [Bob Dole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-dole/) > [If something happened along the route and you had to leave your children with Bob Dole or Bill Clinton, I think you would probably…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-dole/if-something-happened-along-the-route-and-you-had-to-leave-your/) [Bob Dole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-dole/) > [As president, I will fight illegal immigration in order to preserve an appropriate level of legal immigration. At the same time, I believe our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-dole/as-president-i-will-fight-illegal-immigration-in-order-to-preserve-an/) [Bob Dole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-dole/) > [We're trying to get good pictures. Don't worry very much about what I say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-dole/we-re-trying-to-get-good-pictures-don-t-worry-very-much-about-what-i/) [Bob Dole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-dole/) > [I don't know how many people run for vice president and president and lose both.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-dole/i-don-t-know-how-many-people-run-for-vice-president-and-president-and/) [Bob Dole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-dole/) > [Something is wrong with America. I wonder sometimes what people are thinking about or if they're thinking at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-dole/something-is-wrong-with-america-i-wonder-sometimes-what-people-are/) [Bob Dole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-dole/) > [I will seek the presidency with nothing to fall back on but the judgment of the people, and nowhere to go but the White…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-dole/i-will-seek-the-presidency-with-nothing-to-fall-back-on-but-the-2/) [Bob Dole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-dole/) > [You read what Disraeli had to say. I don't remember what he said. He said something. He's no longer with us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-dole/you-read-what-disraeli-had-to-say-i-don-t-remember-what-he-said-he/) [Bob Dole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-dole/) > [I think the Republican Party has indicated to everyone who wants to look at us that, you know, we're in the mainstream. We understand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-dole/i-think-the-republican-party-has-indicated-to-everyone-who-wants-to/) [Bob Dole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-dole/) > [If there is one clear lesson of our century, it is this: where aggression is tolerated, it multiplies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-dole/if-there-is-one-clear-lesson-of-our-century-it-is-this-where/) [Bob Dole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-dole/) > [I'm not a Gingrich fan. He's just difficult to work with. It's either Newt's way or the highway.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-dole/i-m-not-a-gingrich-fan-he-s-just-difficult-to-work-with-it-s-either/) [Bob Dole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-dole/) [Explore all 82 Bob Dole quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-dole/) ## More Background quotes > [When you see how fragile and delicate life can be, all else fades into the background.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenna-morasca/when-you-see-how-fragile-and-delicate-life-can-be-all-else-fades-into/) [Jenna Morasca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenna-morasca/) > [When I was playing piano, it was like, 'I'm going to write a song using all the white keys.' My music director, who knew…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-tesh/when-i-was-playing-piano-it-was-like-i-m-going-to-write-a-song-using/) [John Tesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-tesh/) > [I grew up with a religious background.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-caruso/i-grew-up-with-a-religious-background/) [Alex Caruso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-caruso/) > [Food as a hobby used to be an elite pastime, and it has become something that is totally ordinary for people of every background.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-goodyear/food-as-a-hobby-used-to-be-an-elite-pastime-and-it-has-become/) [Dana Goodyear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-goodyear/) > [The way I look at it is, cancer research is absolutely nonpartisan. Cancer is very democratic in the sense that it attacks people regardless…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-h-koch/the-way-i-look-at-it-is-cancer-research-is-absolutely-nonpartisan/) [David H. Koch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-h-koch/) > [My first album, 'Get Lifted,' was a hip-hop soul album that had some of its roots in the church, as far as the sonic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-legend/my-first-album-get-lifted-was-a-hip-hop-soul-album-that-had-some-of/) [John Legend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-legend/) > [Mark Zuckerberg is a rich white dude from a really privileged background.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-sunde/mark-zuckerberg-is-a-rich-white-dude-from-a-really-privileged/) [Peter Sunde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-sunde/) > [Once you know the background of an individual, you can connect better with his or her music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/badshah/once-you-know-the-background-of-an-individual-you-can-connect-better/) [Badshah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/badshah/) > [Al Jazeera is a representation of, you know, diversity in the Arab world. In our newsroom, we have every single nationality, we have every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wadah-khanfar/al-jazeera-is-a-representation-of-you-know-diversity-in-the-arab/) [Wadah Khanfar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wadah-khanfar/) > [I have no filmi background.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wamiqa-gabbi/i-have-no-filmi-background/) [Wamiqa Gabbi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wamiqa-gabbi/) > [I have a crazy background in music, both as a performer and writer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-itzler/i-have-a-crazy-background-in-music-both-as-a-performer-and-writer/) [Jesse Itzler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-itzler/) > [Maybe it's just my improv and sketch background, but I'm a lot more comfortable in a group. I like sharing focus and populating an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-mantzoukas/maybe-it-s-just-my-improv-and-sketch-background-but-i-m-a-lot-more/) [Jason Mantzoukas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-mantzoukas/) > [I started my cycling academy to try and get more people from a BAME background into cycling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kadeena-cox/i-started-my-cycling-academy-to-try-and-get-more-people-from-a-bame/) [Kadeena Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kadeena-cox/) > [A coach's role, effectively speaking, is to stay in the background and let the onus be on the players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-shastri/a-coach-s-role-effectively-speaking-is-to-stay-in-the-background-and/) [Ravi Shastri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-shastri/) > ['Billy Elliot' embodies the idea that anyone can achieve anything regardless of their socio-economic background.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-fellner/billy-elliot-embodies-the-idea-that-anyone-can-achieve-anything/) [Eric Fellner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-fellner/) [Browse all 698 Background quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/background/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I really thought, with my background growing up, and my service, and all that, I thought it would be enough for the presidency. 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