--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I learned that the American people are…" description: "\"I learned that the American people are pretty great people. And they are just poorly served by their leadership, and Washington's very much out of touc..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ee/howard-dean-3196_american-people_i-learned-that-the-american-people-are-p_2961373.jpg" --- # I learned that the American people are pretty great… ![“I learned that the American people are pretty great people. And they are just poorly served by their leadership, and Washington's very much out of touch with the struggles of ordinary Americans. My hope is that we'll have a Democratic Administration, and then we'll hold their feet to the fire so…” quote by Howard Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ee/howard-dean-3196_american-people_i-learned-that-the-american-people-are-p_2961373.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ee/howard-dean-3196_american-people_i-learned-that-the-american-people-are-p_2961373.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ee/howard-dean-3196_american-people_i-learned-that-the-american-people-are-p_2961373.jpg) > “I learned that the American people are pretty great people. And they are just poorly served by their leadership, and Washington's very much out of touch with the struggles of ordinary Americans. My hope is that we'll have a Democratic Administration, and then we'll hold their feet to the fire so they start performing for people who put them there.” [Howard Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-dean/) ## 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 praises ordinary Americans while criticizing political leadership, urging accountability and better service from elected officials. **In simple terms:** Americans are good, leaders are out of touch; hold them accountable. Key Takeaway Demand responsive governance. Themes politics leadership accountability citizen empowerment democracy Mood concerned hopeful determined Type political activist call‑to‑action When to use this quote - voter advocacy - policy reform - community organizing - government oversight Key Concepts public service representative democracy political responsibility Questions to Reflect On - How can citizens effectively hold leaders accountable? - What mechanisms ensure responsive governance? A Different Perspective Leaders may resist accountability, causing friction. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [American people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-people/) [Americans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/americans/) [Great people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-people/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Struggle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/struggle/) ## Related quotes > [I spent some time in Paris when I made 'Black Tights.' The working people were great but I didn't like the attitude of merchants…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cyd-charisse/i-spent-some-time-in-paris-when-i-made-black-tights-the-working/) [Cyd Charisse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cyd-charisse/) > [When I was in school, all our history books were American, so we learned American history, not Canadian history.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-foley/when-i-was-in-school-all-our-history-books-were-american-so-we/) [Dave Foley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-foley/) > [After college, I wanted to learned about myself as an American, so I left the United States and went to Japan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-feiler/after-college-i-wanted-to-learned-about-myself-as-an-american-so-i/) [Bruce Feiler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-feiler/) > [Like most Americans, I hope and wish is that there is a peaceful resolution to the Middle East conflict. Unfortunately, there are extremists on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darrell-issa/like-most-americans-i-hope-and-wish-is-that-there-is-a-peaceful/) [Darrell Issa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darrell-issa/) > [But, yeah, as far as Asian Americans go, I hope they know they can look at me and see that they can do music…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-iha/but-yeah-as-far-as-asian-americans-go-i-hope-they-know-they-can-look/) [James Iha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-iha/) > [My deal is have a flat, simple tax. And - Americans want - Americans I hope - aspire to be - be wealthy. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-perry/my-deal-is-have-a-flat-simple-tax-and-americans-want-americans-i-hope/) [Rick Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-perry/) > [ “\[Martin Luther King\] said that little black boys and little black girls would be able to join hands with little white boys and little… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-ellison/martin-luther-king-said-that-little-black-boys-and-little-black-girls/) [Keith Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-ellison/) > [Even though these are different times, right now we are particularly thinking about what is leadership, and Washington's qualities are as needed today as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/igor-babailov/even-though-these-are-different-times-right-now-we-are-particularly/) [Igor Babailov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/igor-babailov/) > [The problem is that, over time, big pieces of business that have to get done without leadership from Washington, don't get done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/the-problem-is-that-over-time-big-pieces-of-business-that-have-to-get/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [So 2000 to 2008 probably is the last time we had leadership in Washington with any power which had the belief that America is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/so-2000-to-2008-probably-is-the-last-time-we-had-leadership-in/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [We don't have a crisis of leadership in Washington. We have a crisis of followership.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-rauch/we-don-t-have-a-crisis-of-leadership-in-washington-we-have-a-crisis/) [Jonathan Rauch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-rauch/) > [To fix our immigration system, we must change our leadership in Washington and we must change it quickly. Sadly, sadly there is no other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/to-fix-our-immigration-system-we-must-change-our-leadership-in-2/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [In 1999, the NRA leadership in Washington, pretty much the same people intact, were for (expanded background checks.)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-manchin/in-1999-the-nra-leadership-in-washington-pretty-much-the-same-people/) [Joe Manchin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-manchin/) > [Twenty-eight years in business and you understand the importance of problem solving and the importance of efficiency, because if you don't become efficient, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-daines/twenty-eight-years-in-business-and-you-understand-the-importance-of/) [Steve Daines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-daines/) > [On what high-performing companies should be striving to create: A great place for great people to do great work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-c-nelson/on-what-high-performing-companies-should-be-striving-to-create-a/) Marilyn C. Nelson ## More by Howard Dean > [This country was the moral leader of the world until George Bush became president.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-dean/this-country-was-the-moral-leader-of-the-world-until-george-bush/) [Howard Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-dean/) > [I think in general the ends do not justify the means.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-dean/i-think-in-general-the-ends-do-not-justify-the-means/) [Howard Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-dean/) > [The way we're going to win elections in this country is not to become Republican lite. The way we're going to win elections in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-dean/the-way-we-re-going-to-win-elections-in-this-country-is-not-to-become/) [Howard Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-dean/) > [As governor, I came to believe that the death penalty would be a just punishment for certain, especially heinous crimes, such as the murder…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-dean/as-governor-i-came-to-believe-that-the-death-penalty-would-be-a-just/) [Howard Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-dean/) > [Look, I'm not a perfect person. I have my warts. I sometimes say things that get me in trouble. I wear suits that are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-dean/look-i-m-not-a-perfect-person-i-have-my-warts-i-sometimes-say-things/) [Howard Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-dean/) > [The issue is not abortion. The issue is whether women can make up their own mind instead of some right-wing pastor, some right-wing politician…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-dean/the-issue-is-not-abortion-the-issue-is-whether-women-can-make-up/) [Howard Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-dean/) > [We have to say what we believe... whether it's popular or not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-dean/we-have-to-say-what-we-believe-whether-it-s-popular-or-not/) [Howard Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-dean/) > [When you - when you - and this is still going on today - are making your money by pushing paper around, when you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-dean/when-you-when-you-and-this-is-still-going-on-today-are-making-your/) [Howard Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-dean/) > [I hate the Republicans and everything they stand for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-dean/i-hate-the-republicans-and-everything-they-stand-for/) [Howard Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-dean/) > [There's no question that Saddam Hussein is a threat to the United States and to our allies. If Saddam persists in thumbing his nose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-dean/there-s-no-question-that-saddam-hussein-is-a-threat-to-the-united/) [Howard Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-dean/) > [The truth is the President of the United States used the same device that Slobodan Milosevic used in Serbia. When you appeal to homophobia,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-dean/the-truth-is-the-president-of-the-united-states-used-the-same-device/) [Howard Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-dean/) > [There's been more than one time when I've said something, and sort of the middle of what I've said is not said but thought,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-dean/there-s-been-more-than-one-time-when-i-ve-said-something-and-sort-of/) [Howard Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-dean/) > [I don't care what you label me as long as you call me president.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-dean/i-don-t-care-what-you-label-me-as-long-as-you-call-me-president/) [Howard Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-dean/) > [Donald Trump has used lawsuits as a weapon throughout his entire business career, and whether they're frivolous or not has nothing to do with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-dean/donald-trump-has-used-lawsuits-as-a-weapon-throughout-his-entire/) [Howard Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-dean/) > [What I want to know is why in the world the Democratic party leadership is supporting the president's unilateral attack on Iraq?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-dean/what-i-want-to-know-is-why-in-the-world-the-democratic-party/) [Howard Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-dean/) [Explore all 137 Howard Dean quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-dean/) ## More American people quotes > [America is a democracy and has no Hitler, but I am afraid for her future; there are hard times ahead for the American people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/america-is-a-democracy-and-has-no-hitler-but-i-am-afraid-for-her/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/for-as-much-as-government-can-do-and-must-do-it-is-ultimately-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Given a choice between two bald political candidates, the American people will vote for the less bald of the two.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-gold/given-a-choice-between-two-bald-political-candidates-the-american/) Victor Gold > [When the American people saw the LA riots and crowds of Blacks cheering O.J. Simpson (who was acquitted by the almost all Black jury),…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-duke/when-the-american-people-saw-the-la-riots-and-crowds-of-blacks/) [David Duke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-duke/) > [In any event, it is one thing to assert, then or now, that the Iraq war was ill-advised. It is quite another to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-silberman/in-any-event-it-is-one-thing-to-assert-then-or-now-that-the-iraq-war/) [Laurence Silberman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-silberman/) > [Well look, CIA is an agency that has to collect intelligence, do operations. We have to take risks and it's important that we take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leon-panetta/well-look-cia-is-an-agency-that-has-to-collect-intelligence-do/) [Leon Panetta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leon-panetta/) > [I don't know a politician who enjoys fundraising. The system is such that the American people have lost faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/i-don-t-know-a-politician-who-enjoys-fundraising-the-system-is-such/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [Probably the greatest single obstacle to the progress and happiness of the American people lies in the willingness of so many men to invest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-d-rockefeller/probably-the-greatest-single-obstacle-to-the-progress-and-happiness/) [John D. Rockefeller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-rockefeller/) > [If a financial institution has business operations in the United States, hires people in the United States, if they are clogged with illiquid assets,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-paulson/if-a-financial-institution-has-business-operations-in-the-united/) [Henry Paulson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-paulson/) > [The American people reject the idea of giving Washington a blank check to increase the debt limit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-roby/the-american-people-reject-the-idea-of-giving-washington-a-blank/) [Martha Roby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-roby/) > [The coronavirus has yet again exposed the strong contrast between President Trump - who is working ardently for the American people - and a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kayleigh-mcenany/the-coronavirus-has-yet-again-exposed-the-strong-contrast-between/) [Kayleigh McEnany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kayleigh-mcenany/) > [The American people demand results, not rhetoric, especially when it comes to national security issues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-hayworth/the-american-people-demand-results-not-rhetoric-especially-when-it/) [J. D. Hayworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-hayworth/) > [Hillary Clinton truly is sincere, but she has to connect more with the American people in terms of what she believes in and how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-pelosi/hillary-clinton-truly-is-sincere-but-she-has-to-connect-more-with-the/) [Nancy Pelosi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-pelosi/) > [The American people are incredibly generous and even playful when you open yourself up and feed the media beast until it goes away satisfied.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krystal-ball/the-american-people-are-incredibly-generous-and-even-playful-when-you/) [Krystal Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/krystal-ball/) [Browse all 2,233 American people quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-people/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I learned that the American people are pretty great people. 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