--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A politician will always tip off his true…" description: "\"A politician will always tip off his true belief by stating the opposite at the beginning of the sentence. For maximum comprehension, do not start list..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b4/frank-mankiewicz-69256_active_a-politician-will-always-tip-off-his-tru_2502929.jpg" --- # A politician will always tip off his true belief by… ![“A politician will always tip off his true belief by stating the opposite at the beginning of the sentence. For maximum comprehension, do not start listening until the first clause is concluded. Begin instead at the word 'BUT' which begins the second, or active, clause. This is the way to tell a…” quote by Frank Mankiewicz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b4/frank-mankiewicz-69256_active_a-politician-will-always-tip-off-his-tru_2502929.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b4/frank-mankiewicz-69256_active_a-politician-will-always-tip-off-his-tru_2502929.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b4/frank-mankiewicz-69256_active_a-politician-will-always-tip-off-his-tru_2502929.jpg) > “A politician will always tip off his true belief by stating the opposite at the beginning of the sentence. For maximum comprehension, do not start listening until the first clause is concluded. Begin instead at the word 'BUT' which begins the second, or active, clause. This is the way to tell a liberal from a conservative - before they tell you. Thus: 'I have always believed in a strong national defense, second to none, but...(a liberal, about to propose a $20 billion defense cut).” [Frank Mankiewicz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-mankiewicz/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People often reveal true beliefs after an initial disclaimer; listening for the pivot word 'but' uncovers the real stance, helping differentiate liberal from conservative positions before they are fully expressed. **In simple terms:** Listen for the pivot to hear true intent. Key Takeaway Watch for the 'but' to spot real belief. Themes political communication critical listening ideological analysis argument structure cognitive bias Mood skeptical inquisitive analytical Type strategic observational When to use this quote - debate preparation - media analysis - policy evaluation - public speaking - personal decision making Key Concepts rhetoric bias detection psychology Questions to Reflect On - Do all speakers follow this pattern? - How does context affect the pivot? A Different Perspective The method may oversimplify complex positions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Active](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/active/) [Always believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/always-believe/) [Belief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief/) [Belief Stating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief-stating-1078760/) [Billions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/billions/) [Clauses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clauses/) [Comprehension](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comprehension/) [Conservative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conservative/) [Cutting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cutting/) [Defense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defense/) [Europe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/europe/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [Liberal Propose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberal-propose-1078762/) [Listening](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/listening/) [Maximum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/maximum/) [National defense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/national-defense/) [Opposites](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opposites/) [Politician](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politician/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Propose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/propose/) [Sentences](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sentences/) [Stating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stating/) [Stating Opposite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stating-opposite-1078759/) [Strong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strong/) [Tell Liberal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tell-liberal-1078761/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) ## Related quotes > [I can tell any liberal why he or she thinks what they think. 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