American politics Quote by Jeane Kirkpatrick
“It was not malaise we suffered from; it was Jimmy Carter - and Walter Mondale.”
About This Quote
Political criticism suggests the real problem was not apathy but the leadership of Carter and Mondale.
In simple terms: The issue was leaders, not lack of concern.
Key Takeaway
Focus on evaluating leadership, not just public sentiment.
Themes
politics
leadership
accountability
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
political
historical
When to use this quote
- voter disillusionment
- media criticism
- historical election analysis
Key Concepts
policy analysis
historical context
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we separate policy failures from personal blame?
- What criteria should we use to judge political leaders?
A Different Perspective
Leaders may have had constraints limiting their effectiveness.
![“My good friend Walter Mondale is a good lapdog. He'll give them [special interest groups] everything they want. He'll lick every hand.” quote by Ernest Hollings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c00/ernest-hollings-48014_american-politics_my-good-friend-walter-mondale-is-a-good_2736239.jpg)
![“[If the Democratic nominee turns out to be] Walter Mondale, I hope he picks Representative Geraldine Ferraro as his running mate. It would be a desperate move, but that's what it'll take to get rid of Reagan. Ms. Ferraro is no more unqualified than a lot of Vice Presidential candidates have been…” quote by Hendrik Hertzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/605/hendrik-hertzberg-35818_american-politics_if-the-democratic-nominee-turns-out-to-b_1091850.jpg)
![“The reason he [Jimmy Carter] says he never lies is because he thinks the truth originates with him.” quote by Lester Maddox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c23/lester-maddox-73832_american-politics_the-reason-he-jimmy-carter-says-he-never_2266726.jpg)
![“He [Jimmy Carter] says his lust is in his heart. I hope it's a little lower.” quote by Shirley MacLaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a6f/shirley-maclaine-1977_american-politics_he-jimmy-carter-says-his-lust-is-in-his_2184102.jpg)
![“Jimmy Carter, who embraced all manner of schemes to make America a second or third-rate country, came down so squarely in favor of the double nickel [the 55 mph National Speed Limit]...This is the same Jimmy Carter whose limosine with him in it, just a little later in his presidency, was timed at…” quote by Patrick Bedard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5a4/patrick-bedard-73928_america_jimmy-carter-who-embraced-all-manner-of_1840523.jpg)
![“Decades, if not centuries are normally required for people to acquire the necessary disciplines and habits. In Britain, the road [to democratic government] took seven centuries to traverse.” quote by Jeane Kirkpatrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4ed/jeane-kirkpatrick-12763_acquire_decades-if-not-centuries-are-normally-re_762756.jpg)
