--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What it came down to was a search not for…" description: "\"“What it came down to was a search not for the most talent, the greatest brilliance, but for the fewest black marks, the fewest objections. The man who..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7c6/david-halberstam-9032_candidates_what-it-came-down-to-was-a-search-not-fo_639957.png" --- # What it came down to was a search not for the most talent… ![“What it came down to was a search not for the most talent, the greatest brilliance, but for the fewest black marks, the fewest objections. The man who had made the fewest enemies in an era when forceful men espousing good causes had made many enemies: the Kennedys were looking for someone who made…” quote by David Halberstam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7c6/david-halberstam-9032_candidates_what-it-came-down-to-was-a-search-not-fo_639957.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7c6/david-halberstam-9032_candidates_what-it-came-down-to-was-a-search-not-fo_639957.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7c6/david-halberstam-9032_candidates_what-it-came-down-to-was-a-search-not-fo_639957.png) > ““What it came down to was a search not for the most talent, the greatest brilliance, but for the fewest black marks, the fewest objections. The man who had made the fewest enemies in an era when forceful men espousing good causes had made many enemies: the Kennedys were looking for someone who made very small waves. They were looking for a man to fill the most important Cabinet post, a job requiring infinite qualities of intelligence, wisdom and sophistication, a knowledge of both this country and the world, and they were going at it as presidential candidates had often filled that other most crucial post, the Vice-Presidency, by choosing someone who had offended the fewest people. Everybody’s number-two choice.”” [David Halberstam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-halberstam/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Political leaders are often chosen for their ability to avoid controversy and make few enemies, valuing consensus over brilliance. **In simple terms:** Choosing low‑conflict candidates over the most talented. Key Takeaway Consider the trade‑off between competence and controversy. Themes politics leadership conflict avoidance Mood analytical thoughtful Type political historical When to use this quote - election campaigns - cabinet appointments - policy negotiations Key Concepts consensus building political strategy ethical compromise Questions to Reflect On - Is it better to have a brilliant but divisive leader? - How can leaders balance integrity with broad appeal? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Looking for a man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/looking-for-a-man/) ## Related quotes > [“The people in this country are in furious rages at each other after the last vote, she said, and the government we’ve got has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ali-smith/the-people-in-this-country-are-in-furious-rages-at-each-other-after/) [Ali Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ali-smith/) > [That man has the fewest wants who is the least anxious for wealth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/publilius-syrus/that-man-has-the-fewest-wants-who-is-the-least-anxious-for-wealth/) [Publilius Syrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/publilius-syrus/) > [You see you're looking for a man like you need somebody. 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They were looking for a man to fill the most important Cabinet post, a job requiring infinite qualities of intelligence, wisdom and sophistication, a knowledge of both this country and the world, and they were going at it as presidential candidates had often filled that other most crucial post, the Vice-Presidency, by choosing someone who had offended the fewest people. 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