Fear Quote by David Halberstam
![“Those years [as the war progressed] would show, in the American system, how when a question of the use of force arose in government, the advocates of force were always better organized, seemed more numerous and seemed to have both logic and fear on their side, and that in fending them off in his…” quote by David Halberstam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9bc/david-halberstam-9032_fear_those-years-as-the-war-progressed-would_2965982.jpg)
““Those years [as the war progressed] would show, in the American system, how when a question of the use of force arose in government, the advocates of force were always better organized, seemed more numerous and seemed to have both logic and fear on their side, and that in fending them off in his own government, a President would need all the help he possibly could get, not the least of which should be a powerful Secretary of State.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Best and the Brightest by David Halberstam, 1972
When force is debated, those advocating it are better organized and appear more logical, compelling presidents to rely heavily on a strong Secretary of State for balance.
In simple terms: Force advocates dominate discussions, forcing presidents to seek powerful diplomatic help.
Key Takeaway
Presidents must secure strong diplomatic counsel.
Themes
politics
power
government
military
leadership
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
political
strategic
When to use this quote
- presidential decisionmaking
- foreign policy formulation
- legislative negotiations
- public opinion management
Key Concepts
organizational advantage
logic
fear
balance
executive decision
Questions to Reflect On
- How can democratic institutions counterbalance organized force advocates?
- What role does public scrutiny play?
A Different Perspective
The argument may overlook civilian oversight and democratic checks.
![“Theodore Sorensen wrote for [Robert Kennedy's 1968] announcement speech: “At stake is not simply the leadership of our party, and even our own country, it is our right to the moral leadership of this planet.” The sentence absolutely appalled all the younger Robert Kennedy advisers, who felt it…” quote by David Halberstam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f6e/david-halberstam-9032_communication_theodore-sorensen-wrote-for-robert-kenne_12566.jpg)
