Born Quote by Charles Krauthammer
“When a party is in opposition, it opposes. That's its job. But when it comes to power, it must govern. Easy rhetoric is over, the press of reality becomes irresistible. By necessity, it adopts some of the policies it had once denounced. And a new national consensus is born.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Column, The Washington Post, 1995
Opposition parties naturally oppose, but when in power they must govern, often adopting previously rejected policies, leading to a new consensus.
In simple terms: Opposition changes when in power, forcing policy shifts.
Key Takeaway
Accept that power changes priorities.
Themes
politics
governance
compromise
realism
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
political
analytical
When to use this quote
- election aftermath
- legislative negotiations
- policy implementation
- public expectation management
Key Concepts
policy adaptation
consensus building
Questions to Reflect On
- How do parties maintain integrity after winning?
- What mechanisms prevent policy flip‑flopping?
A Different Perspective
Power may force betrayals of prior ideals, causing public distrust.
