---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think the Senate ought to realize that…"
description: "\"I think the Senate ought to realize that I have to have about me those in whom I have confidence; and unless they find a real blemish on a man, I do no..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/34e/calvin-coolidge-764_appointments_i-think-the-senate-ought-to-realize-that_667117.jpg"
---

#  I think the Senate ought to realize that I have to have…

![“I think the Senate ought to realize that I have to have about me those in whom I have confidence; and unless they find a real blemish on a man, I do not think they ought to make partisan politics out of appointments to the Cabinet.” quote by Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/34e/calvin-coolidge-764_appointments_i-think-the-senate-ought-to-realize-that_667117.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/34e/calvin-coolidge-764_appointments_i-think-the-senate-ought-to-realize-that_667117.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/34e/calvin-coolidge-764_appointments_i-think-the-senate-ought-to-realize-that_667117.jpg)

> “I think the Senate ought to realize that I have to have about me those in whom I have confidence; and unless they find a real blemish on a man, I do not think they ought to make partisan politics out of appointments to the Cabinet.”

[Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

He argues that appointments should be based on merit, not partisan bias, and that confidence should be earned through integrity.

**In simple terms:** Appointments should be merit‑based, not partisan.

Key Takeaway

Demand integrity in leadership selections.

Themes

politics integrity meritocracy

Mood

serious reflective

Type

advisory political

When to use this quote

- government hiring
- senate confirmations
- public trust

Key Concepts

public service ethical leadership

Questions to Reflect On

- What safeguards ensure meritocratic appointments?
- How can confidence be objectively measured?

A Different Perspective

Political realities often involve compromise.

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[Confidence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confidence/) [Have confidence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/have-confidence/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Partisan politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/partisan-politics/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Senate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/senate/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/)

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