--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: By the time a man gets to be presidential…" description: "\"By the time a man gets to be presidential material, he's been bought ten times over.\" — Gore Vidal" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e13/gore-vidal-466_politics_by-the-time-a-man-gets-to-be-presidentia_1075770.jpg" --- # By the time a man gets to be presidential material, he's… ![“By the time a man gets to be presidential material, he's been bought ten times over.” quote by Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e13/gore-vidal-466_politics_by-the-time-a-man-gets-to-be-presidentia_1075770.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e13/gore-vidal-466_politics_by-the-time-a-man-gets-to-be-presidentia_1075770.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e13/gore-vidal-466_politics_by-the-time-a-man-gets-to-be-presidentia_1075770.jpg) > “By the time a man gets to be presidential material, he's been bought ten times over.” [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He cynically suggests that political ambition is corrupted by financial influence, implying power is bought. **In simple terms:** Power is often bought, not earned. Key Takeaway Beware of money’s influence on politics. Themes politics corruption power money Mood skeptical critical Type political philosophical When to use this quote - election campaigns - policy making - public office Key Concepts cynicism political economy ethical decay Questions to Reflect On - How does money shape political decisions? - Can integrity survive in politics? A Different Perspective May be overly pessimistic, ignoring idealism. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Gets Presidential](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gets-presidential-2704085/) [Man Gets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-gets-549983/) [Material Bought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/material-bought-2704087/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Presidential](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/presidential/) [Presidential Material](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/presidential-material-2704086/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [Presidential candidate Howard Dean is now being attacked for dodging the draft. 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