--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When people ask me why I'm amazed at what…" description: "\"When people ask me why I'm amazed at what Barack Obama has accomplished, I tell them it's not because of what most of America and the world sees and kn..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d74/don-lemon-10223_accomplished_when-people-ask-me-why-i-m-amazed-at-wha_1695786.jpg" --- # When people ask me why I'm amazed at what Barack Obama has… ![“When people ask me why I'm amazed at what Barack Obama has accomplished, I tell them it's not because of what most of America and the world sees and knows of his history. It's because I witnessed what I can only describe as a bizarre turn of events that thrust him into position to even become a…” quote by Don Lemon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d74/don-lemon-10223_accomplished_when-people-ask-me-why-i-m-amazed-at-wha_1695786.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d74/don-lemon-10223_accomplished_when-people-ask-me-why-i-m-amazed-at-wha_1695786.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d74/don-lemon-10223_accomplished_when-people-ask-me-why-i-m-amazed-at-wha_1695786.jpg) > “When people ask me why I'm amazed at what Barack Obama has accomplished, I tell them it's not because of what most of America and the world sees and knows of his history. It's because I witnessed what I can only describe as a bizarre turn of events that thrust him into position to even become a U.S. senator.” [Don Lemon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-lemon/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker is amazed not by Obama’s public image but by the unlikely circumstances that propelled him to the Senate. **In simple terms:** Obama’s rise was due to unexpected events. Key Takeaway Appreciate the role of chance in success. Themes chance politics leadership Mood thoughtful analytical Type observational reflective When to use this quote - career analysis - historical study - political commentary - personal reflection Key Concepts political trajectory unexpected opportunities Questions to Reflect On - What unexpected events have shaped your path? - How do we balance luck and effort? A Different Perspective Focusing on chance may downplay personal effort and skill. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Accomplished](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accomplished/) [Amazed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amazed/) [Amazed Barack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amazed-barack-1100460/) [America](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) [Ask](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ask/) [Barack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/barack/) [Barack obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/barack-obama/) [Because](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/because/) [Become](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/become/) [Bizarre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bizarre/) [Bizarre Turn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bizarre-turn-1100463/) [Describe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/describe/) [Even](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/even/) [Events](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/events/) [Him](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/him/) [His](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/his/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [History Witnessed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history-witnessed-1100464/) [I can](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-can/) [Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows/) [Me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/me/) [Most](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/most/) [Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obama/) [Obama Accomplished](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obama-accomplished-1100461/) [Only](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/only/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Position](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/position/) [Sees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sees/) [Senator](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/senator/) [Tell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tell/) [Them](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/them/) [Thrust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thrust/) [Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trump/) [Turn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/turn/) [Why](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/why/) [Witnessed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/witnessed/) [Witnessed Bizarre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/witnessed-bizarre-1100462/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [“You are not alone in having witnessed some of the most bizarre human behaviors. It’s important for you to know that truth.   Many”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-thomas/you-are-not-alone-in-having-witnessed-some-of-the-most-bizarre-human/) [Shannon Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-thomas/) > [I've tried to say that I admire and respect Sen. Obama. He has accomplished great things, and he has motivated people, and so -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/i-ve-tried-to-say-that-i-admire-and-respect-sen-obama-he-has/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [Obama has not accomplished a key mission: sell his own successes and keep his own (political) troops fired up and ready to go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-corn/obama-has-not-accomplished-a-key-mission-sell-his-own-successes-and/) [David Corn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-corn/) > [I concede that, in the first 18 months of his presidency, Obama has not accomplished all that he campaigned on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neera-tanden/i-concede-that-in-the-first-18-months-of-his-presidency-obama-has-not/) [Neera Tanden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neera-tanden/) > [In all these years, I've witnessed how beautifully Hyderabad has grown.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/supriya-pathak/in-all-these-years-i-ve-witnessed-how-beautifully-hyderabad-has-grown/) [Supriya Pathak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/supriya-pathak/) > [I'm a mad thinker in general. I think about everything, all the time. Especially when I write music, a lot of the influences come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-hicks/i-m-a-mad-thinker-in-general-i-think-about-everything-all-the-time/) [Adam Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-hicks/) > [In the early 1990s we witnessed the emergence of a revitalized contemporary Chinese art world that began as a reaction against the government-approved Social…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arne-glimcher/in-the-early-1990s-we-witnessed-the-emergence-of-a-revitalized/) [Arne Glimcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arne-glimcher/) > [For the past 25 years as an adoption attorney, I have witnessed the extraordinary courage and compassion of women - from age 14 to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-mclane-kuster/for-the-past-25-years-as-an-adoption-attorney-i-have-witnessed-the/) [Ann McLane Kuster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-mclane-kuster/) > [“One of the worst cases of employee abuse that I witnessed in the workplace was a toxic manager holding employees captive in a remote…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/one-of-the-worst-cases-of-employee-abuse-that-i-witnessed-in-the/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [We have agreed with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to cease all acts of violence against the Israelis and against the Palestinians wherever they are.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahmoud-abbas/we-have-agreed-with-prime-minister-ariel-sharon-to-cease-all-acts-of/) [Mahmoud Abbas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahmoud-abbas/) > [The stories my pupils told me were astonishing. One told how he had witnessed his cousin being shot in the back five times; another…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-gruwell/the-stories-my-pupils-told-me-were-astonishing-one-told-how-he-had/) [Erin Gruwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-gruwell/) > [There have been some terrible winters in Chicago, where it feels like I'm literally being punched in the face, and everyone walks around looking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecily-strong/there-have-been-some-terrible-winters-in-chicago-where-it-feels-like/) [Cecily Strong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecily-strong/) > [We've witnessed history in the making.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-shriver/we-ve-witnessed-history-in-the-making/) [Maria Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-shriver/) > [I've witnessed first hand the impact the Benchmark team has had on new ventures, and I believe their commitment to the entrepreneur and dedication…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-lasky/i-ve-witnessed-first-hand-the-impact-the-benchmark-team-has-had-on/) [Mitch Lasky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-lasky/) > [Thatcher was the best politician I have ever witnessed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-clarke/thatcher-was-the-best-politician-i-have-ever-witnessed/) [Kenneth Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-clarke/) ## More by Don Lemon > [I don't know if I would have the same take on world matters and social issues if I were not gay.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-lemon/i-don-t-know-if-i-would-have-the-same-take-on-world-matters-and/) [Don Lemon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-lemon/) > [I don't consider myself a celebrity. I'm just a journalist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-lemon/i-don-t-consider-myself-a-celebrity-i-m-just-a-journalist/) [Don Lemon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-lemon/) > [If you're going to be in the business of news and telling people the truth... you've got to be honest. You've got to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-lemon/if-you-re-going-to-be-in-the-business-of-news-and-telling-people-the/) [Don Lemon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-lemon/) > [I'm not concerned with what people think of me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-lemon/i-m-not-concerned-with-what-people-think-of-me/) [Don Lemon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-lemon/) > [Paula Deen is a human being. She deserves forgiveness and a chance at redemption as much as anyone else. America is about redemption.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-lemon/paula-deen-is-a-human-being-she-deserves-forgiveness-and-a-chance-at/) [Don Lemon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-lemon/) > [I'm a gay black guy. If I can't ask questions without caring what people think of me, who can?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-lemon/i-m-a-gay-black-guy-if-i-can-t-ask-questions-without-caring-what/) [Don Lemon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-lemon/) > [Some people are saying, Justin Bieber is racist. Is he? I dont know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-lemon/some-people-are-saying-justin-bieber-is-racist-is-he-i-dont-know/) [Don Lemon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-lemon/) > [When someone is in our tribe, I think it's particularly easier for us to tell them apart, because we're used to their facial features.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-lemon/when-someone-is-in-our-tribe-i-think-it-s-particularly-easier-for-us/) [Don Lemon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-lemon/) > [I've never been one to take glee in anyone's demise, and when I saw Jerry Sandusky walk out in handcuffs, I did kind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-lemon/i-ve-never-been-one-to-take-glee-in-anyone-s-demise-and-when-i-saw/) [Don Lemon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-lemon/) > [I do feel that Paula Deen should not have lost her job, and I've said this on the air. The marketplace should have decided.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-lemon/i-do-feel-that-paula-deen-should-not-have-lost-her-job-and-i-ve-said/) [Don Lemon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-lemon/) > [The best way not to encounter America's health care system is not to have to encounter it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-lemon/the-best-way-not-to-encounter-america-s-health-care-system-is-not-to/) [Don Lemon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-lemon/) > [It's not ideological to ask someone to stick to the question presented.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-lemon/it-s-not-ideological-to-ask-someone-to-stick-to-the-question-presented/) [Don Lemon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-lemon/) > [Whenever I see John Lewis, I invariably say, 'Thank you.' And I will never stop. I don't know how he's still standing, because what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-lemon/whenever-i-see-john-lewis-i-invariably-say-thank-you-and-i-will-never/) [Don Lemon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-lemon/) > [I am a big devourer of James Baldwin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-lemon/i-am-a-big-devourer-of-james-baldwin/) [Don Lemon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-lemon/) > [Who needs a bullet piercing, armor piercing bullet to go hunting? Who needs an assault rifle to go hunting? You can't even use the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-lemon/who-needs-a-bullet-piercing-armor-piercing-bullet-to-go-hunting-who/) [Don Lemon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-lemon/) [Explore all 67 Don Lemon quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-lemon/) ## More Accomplished quotes > [I never believed in trying to do anything. Whatever I set out to do I found I had already accomplished.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/i-never-believed-in-trying-to-do-anything-whatever-i-set-out-to-do-i/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [This is, for an accomplished Latino, an accomplished African American, an accomplished anyone who disproves stereotypes, it's a constant battle in your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonia-sotomayor/this-is-for-an-accomplished-latino-an-accomplished-african-american/) [Sonia Sotomayor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonia-sotomayor/) > [When you have accomplished your goal simply walk away. This is the path way to Heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/when-you-have-accomplished-your-goal-simply-walk-away-this-is-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [... even the most sublimely accomplished non-stop talker can't consistently please.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-salinger-2/even-the-most-sublimely-accomplished-non-stop-talker-can-t/) [J. D. Salinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-salinger-2/) > [ \[U\]nless oppressed groups stick together, and on alliances of self interest rather than do-goodism; nothing can be accomplished in the long run to dismantle… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shulamith-firestone/u-nless-oppressed-groups-stick-together-and-on-alliances-of-self/) [Shulamith Firestone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shulamith-firestone/) > [Alas, you don't need monsters for monstrous deeds to be accomplished.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zygmunt-bauman/alas-you-don-t-need-monsters-for-monstrous-deeds-to-be-accomplished/) [Zygmunt Bauman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zygmunt-bauman/) > [Like all writers, he measured the achievements of others by what they had accomplished, asking of them that they measure him by what he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-luis-borges/like-all-writers-he-measured-the-achievements-of-others-by-what-they/) [Jorge Luis Borges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-luis-borges/) > [I'm proud of what I've accomplished and that is empowering.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/violet-chachki/i-m-proud-of-what-i-ve-accomplished-and-that-is-empowering/) [Violet Chachki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/violet-chachki/) > [We do not know today whether we are busy or idle. In times when we thought ourselves indolent, we have afterwards discovered that much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/we-do-not-know-today-whether-we-are-busy-or-idle-in-times-when-we/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [I don't know Beyoncé, but I have the impression that she's sincere, that she really is a feminist and wanted to put the word…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-steinem/i-don-t-know-beyonc-but-i-have-the-impression-that-she-s-sincere-that/) [Gloria Steinem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-steinem/) > [The gain in self-confidence of having accomplished a tiresome labour is immense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-bennett/the-gain-in-self-confidence-of-having-accomplished-a-tiresome-labour/) [Arnold Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-bennett/) > [With Epcot Center, the Disney corporation has accomplished something I didn't think possible in today's world. They have created a land of make-believe that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/with-epcot-center-the-disney-corporation-has-accomplished-something-i/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Listing the polar bear under the Endangered Species Act could harm bear conservation efforts by eliminating revenues from the carefully-regulated sport hunting of polar…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-ridenour/listing-the-polar-bear-under-the-endangered-species-act-could-harm/) [Amy Ridenour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-ridenour/) > [“Great things can be accomplished, when it doesnt matter who gets the credit.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/great-things-can-be-accomplished-when-it-doesnt-matter-who-gets-the/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [If I could inspire you for even a moment to be yourself and love yourself, and not let what anyone has to say hinder…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-neal-hartry/if-i-could-inspire-you-for-even-a-moment-to-be-yourself-and-love/) [Joshua Neal Hartry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-neal-hartry/) [Browse all 1,379 Accomplished quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accomplished/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When people ask me why I'm amazed at what Barack Obama has accomplished, I tell them it's not because of what most of America and the world sees and knows of his history. It's because I witnessed what I can only describe as a bizarre turn of events that thrust him into position to even become a U.S. senator.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Don Lemon" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-lemon/when-people-ask-me-why-i-m-amazed-at-what-barack-obama-has/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Accomplished" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-lemon/when-people-ask-me-why-i-m-amazed-at-what-barack-obama-has/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d74/don-lemon-10223_accomplished_when-people-ask-me-why-i-m-amazed-at-wha_1695786.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d74/don-lemon-10223_accomplished_when-people-ask-me-why-i-m-amazed-at-wha_1695786.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d74/don-lemon-10223_accomplished_when-people-ask-me-why-i-m-amazed-at-wha_1695786.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When people ask me why I'm amazed at what Barack Obama has accomplished, I tell them it's not because of…” — Don Lemon", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Don Lemon", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-lemon/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "When people ask me why I'm...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-lemon/when-people-ask-me-why-i-m-amazed-at-what-barack-obama-has/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-lemon/when-people-ask-me-why-i-m-amazed-at-what-barack-obama-has/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```