Able Quote by Harry S. Truman
“The legislative job of the President is especially important to the people who have no special representatives to plead their cause before Congressand that includes the great majority. I sometimes express it by saying the President is the only lobbyist that one hundred and fifty million Americans have. The other twenty million are able to employ people to represent themand thats all right, its the exercise of the right of petitionbut someone has to look after the interests of the one hundred and fifty million that are left.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Press conference, August 31, 1949, Washington D.C.
The President must act as a universal advocate for the majority who lack direct representation, serving as a de facto lobbyist for all citizens.
In simple terms: President as a single lobbyist for most people.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the President’s role as a broad representative.
Themes
democracy
representation
political responsibility
Mood
thoughtful
concerned
Type
political
civic
When to use this quote
- voting
- community organizing
- policy feedback
- public hearings
Key Concepts
civic duty
public advocacy
political theory
Questions to Reflect On
- How can citizens ensure the President truly represents them?
- What mechanisms can balance this broad advocacy?
A Different Perspective
Limited by political constraints and partisan pressures.
![“I don't take a dime of their [lobbyist] money, and when I am president, they won't find a job in my White House.” quote by Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/68c/barack-obama-17_dimes_i-don-t-take-a-dime-of-their-lobbyist-mo_200696.jpg)
![“Here's a guy [Marco Rubio] - here's a guy that buys a house for $179,000, he sells it to a lobbyist who's probably here for $380,000 and then legislation is passed. You tell me about this guy. This is what we're going to have as president.” quote by Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2e1/donald-trump-18_guy_here-s-a-guy-marco-rubio-here-s-a-guy-th_1484870.jpg)
![“[Walter White] was also one of the best lobbyist of the period.” quote by Ella Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/900/ella-baker-10989_lobbyist_walter-white-was-also-one-of-the-best-lo_712092.jpg)
