---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think the recovery hasn't been stronger…"
description: "\"I think the recovery hasn't been stronger because the hole that was dug for President Obama by the Bush administration was far worse than anybody could..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/12d/howard-dean-3196_administration_i-think-the-recovery-hasn-t-been-stronge_1546922.jpg"
---

#  I think the recovery hasn't been stronger because the hole…

![“I think the recovery hasn't been stronger because the hole that was dug for President Obama by the Bush administration was far worse than anybody could imagine, first of all.” quote by Howard Dean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/12d/howard-dean-3196_administration_i-think-the-recovery-hasn-t-been-stronge_1546922.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/12d/howard-dean-3196_administration_i-think-the-recovery-hasn-t-been-stronge_1546922.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/12d/howard-dean-3196_administration_i-think-the-recovery-hasn-t-been-stronge_1546922.jpg)

> “I think the recovery hasn't been stronger because the hole that was dug for President Obama by the Bush administration was far worse than anybody could imagine, first of all.”

[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 policy damage from the Bush administration created a deep hole that made recovery under Obama harder than anticipated.

**In simple terms:** Policy choices left a deep hole, hindering recovery.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and address systemic damage.

Themes

politics policy economics recovery leadership

Mood

critical analytical

Type

political economic

When to use this quote

- government budgeting
- policy reform
- economic analysis
- public discourse

Key Concepts

public policy systemic risk economic recovery

Questions to Reflect On

- What structural reforms could have prevented the hole?
- How can bipartisan solutions address systemic damage?

A Different Perspective

Complex issues may be oversimplified by attributing blame to a single administration.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Administration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/administration/) [Bush administration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bush-administration/) [Healing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/healing/) [President](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/president/) [Recovery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/recovery/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/)

## Related quotes

> [The only difference between Obama and Bush is that Obama is killing more people. He’s about double the numbers now. Can you imagine if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/the-only-difference-between-obama-and-bush-is-that-obama-is-killing/)

[Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/)

> [The only difference between Obama and Bush is that Obama is killing more people,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/the-only-difference-between-obama-and-bush-is-that-obama-is-killing-2/)

[Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/)

> [I remember where I come from. I just see myself as someone who gets up and does what she loves every day - I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-dearaugo/i-remember-where-i-come-from-i-just-see-myself-as-someone-who-gets-up/)

[Kate DeAraugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-dearaugo/)

> [Can you think of anything worse one can do to anybody than take away their worship?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-shaffer/can-you-think-of-anything-worse-one-can-do-to-anybody-than-take-away/)

[Peter Shaffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-shaffer/)

> [Hillary Clinton has been outsmarted and outplayed worse than anybody I've ever seen in any government whatsoever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/hillary-clinton-has-been-outsmarted-and-outplayed-worse-than-anybody/)

[Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/)

> [ No matter what it is in life that you want kid, just want it worse than anybody else \[and\] work harder than anybody else… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-bergen/no-matter-what-it-is-in-life-that-you-want-kid-just-want-it-worse/)

[Bob Bergen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-bergen/)

> [I'm sorry to myself, for treating me worse than I would anybody else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alanis-morissette/i-m-sorry-to-myself-for-treating-me-worse-than-i-would-anybody-else/)

[Alanis Morissette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alanis-morissette/)

> [The Bush administration, they had two blue ribbon commissions about infrastructure finance that recommended a lot more money, and additionally the gas tax being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-lahood/the-bush-administration-they-had-two-blue-ribbon-commissions-about/)

[Ray LaHood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-lahood/)

> [“Had I called him only dangerous before? He was far, far worse than that. He was deadly.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-noelle/had-i-called-him-only-dangerous-before-he-was-far-far-worse-than-that/)

[Amy Noelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-noelle/)

> [“Jake, anyway, and somehow that seemed far, far worse. The couldn’t”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raeanne-thayne/jake-anyway-and-somehow-that-seemed-far-far-worse-the-couldn-t/)

[RaeAnne Thayne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raeanne-thayne/)

> [Things will be far worse than they are now. And far better. I wait.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bukowski/things-will-be-far-worse-than-they-are-now-and-far-better-i-wait/)

[Charles Bukowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-bukowski/)

> [It was an old cricket coach who started calling me Fred - as in Flintstone. There are far worse things to be called in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-flintoff/it-was-an-old-cricket-coach-who-started-calling-me-fred-as-in/)

[Andrew Flintoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-flintoff/)

> [If you're a small startup considering selling your company, there's definitely far worse places to work than Facebook.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonio-garcia-martinez/if-you-re-a-small-startup-considering-selling-your-company-there-s/)

[Antonio Garcia Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonio-garcia-martinez/)

> [I think a bad husband is far worse than no husband.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-cavendish/i-think-a-bad-husband-is-far-worse-than-no-husband/)

[Margaret Cavendish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-cavendish/)

> [... there are far, far worse things in the living world than dying.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/there-are-far-far-worse-things-in-the-living-world-than-dying/)

[J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/)

## 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 Administration quotes

> [We need a system that serves our needs, not the needs of others. Remember, under a Trump administration it's called America first. Remember that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/we-need-a-system-that-serves-our-needs-not-the-needs-of-others/)

[Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/)

> [While the people retain their virtue and vigilance, no administration, by any extreme of wickedness or folly, can very seriously injure the government in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/while-the-people-retain-their-virtue-and-vigilance-no-administration/)

[Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/)

> [If you want to serve in a Trump administration, you're going to serve this country, not yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-spicer/if-you-want-to-serve-in-a-trump-administration-you-re-going-to-serve/)

[Sean Spicer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-spicer/)

> [Listen, I have a great affection and respect for Joe Biden. I think he's been a great vice president. He's taken on a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-axelrod/listen-i-have-a-great-affection-and-respect-for-joe-biden-i-think-he/)

[David Axelrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-axelrod/)

> [I don't believe anyone that I know in the administration ever said that Iraq had nuclear weapons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-rumsfeld/i-don-t-believe-anyone-that-i-know-in-the-administration-ever-said/)

[Donald Rumsfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-rumsfeld/)

> [What was unique about me being in City Hall during the Giuliani Administration, I was the only one who wasn't an attorney. I may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-lhota/what-was-unique-about-me-being-in-city-hall-during-the-giuliani/)

[Joe Lhota](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-lhota/)

> [The Trump administration launched the cruise missile strikes in Syria, an act of war, without a U.N. resolution or Congressional authorization.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-bergen/the-trump-administration-launched-the-cruise-missile-strikes-in-syria/)

[Peter Bergen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-bergen/)

> [The only way I'll ever run a marathon is if I'm involved in the administration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-phillips/the-only-way-i-ll-ever-run-a-marathon-is-if-i-m-involved-in-the/)

[Sally Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-phillips/)

> [Obama spent the first two years of his administration practicing political unilateral disarmament.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cenk-uygur/obama-spent-the-first-two-years-of-his-administration-practicing/)

[Cenk Uygur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cenk-uygur/)

> [The actions of the University in my case make it abundantly clear that the Administration's rhetoric about Harvard's desire to attract and retain the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-geller/the-actions-of-the-university-in-my-case-make-it-abundantly-clear/)

[Margaret Geller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-geller/)

> [In mid-May, the House of Representatives approved the full amount of money that the Veterans Administration said was needed for next year - plus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doc-hastings/in-mid-may-the-house-of-representatives-approved-the-full-amount-of/)

[Doc Hastings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doc-hastings/)

> [In 1953, the United States played a significant role in orchestrating the overthrow of Iran's popular prime minister, Mohammed Mossadegh. The Eisenhower administration believed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-albright/in-1953-the-united-states-played-a-significant-role-in-orchestrating/)

[Madeleine Albright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-albright/)

> [The administration of George W. Bush, emboldened by the Sept. 11 attacks and the backing of a Republican Congress, has sought to further extend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-feldman/the-administration-of-george-w-bush-emboldened-by-the-sept-11-attacks/)

[Noah Feldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-feldman/)

> [When we criticize in Iran the actions of the government, the fundamentalists say that we and the Bush Administration are in the same camp.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirin-ebadi/when-we-criticize-in-iran-the-actions-of-the-government-the/)

[Shirin Ebadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirin-ebadi/)

> [We will finally complete the biometric entry-exit visa tracking system, which we need desperately. For years Congress has required biometric entry-exit visa tracking systems…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/we-will-finally-complete-the-biometric-entry-exit-visa-tracking/)

[Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/)

[Browse all 1,855 Administration quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/administration/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I think the recovery hasn't been stronger because the hole that was dug for President Obama by the Bush administration was far worse than anybody could imagine, first of all.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Howard Dean"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-dean/i-think-the-recovery-hasn-t-been-stronger-because-the-hole-that-was/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Administration"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-dean/i-think-the-recovery-hasn-t-been-stronger-because-the-hole-that-was/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/12d/howard-dean-3196_administration_i-think-the-recovery-hasn-t-been-stronge_1546922.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/12d/howard-dean-3196_administration_i-think-the-recovery-hasn-t-been-stronge_1546922.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/12d/howard-dean-3196_administration_i-think-the-recovery-hasn-t-been-stronge_1546922.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I think the recovery hasn't been stronger because the hole that was dug for President Obama by the Bush…” — Howard Dean",
                "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": "Howard Dean",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-dean/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I think the recovery hasn't been...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-dean/i-think-the-recovery-hasn-t-been-stronger-because-the-hole-that-was/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-dean/i-think-the-recovery-hasn-t-been-stronger-because-the-hole-that-was/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
