--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Political courage requires clarity. The…" description: "\"Political courage requires clarity. The Obama Administration chose the tortured route of arguing the legality of the individual mandate via the interst..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/378/joe-klein-12661_business_political-courage-requires-clarity-the-o_1225896.png" --- # Political courage requires clarity. The Obama… ![“Political courage requires clarity. The Obama Administration chose the tortured route of arguing the legality of the individual mandate via the interstate commerce clause for one simple reason: it did not want to take the political risk of allowing opponents to call it a tax increase. That was…” quote by Joe Klein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/378/joe-klein-12661_business_political-courage-requires-clarity-the-o_1225896.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/378/joe-klein-12661_business_political-courage-requires-clarity-the-o_1225896.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/378/joe-klein-12661_business_political-courage-requires-clarity-the-o_1225896.png) > “Political courage requires clarity. The Obama Administration chose the tortured route of arguing the legality of the individual mandate via the interstate commerce clause for one simple reason: it did not want to take the political risk of allowing opponents to call it a tax increase. That was stupid. The Republicans were calling it a tax increase anyway.” [Joe Klein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-klein/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Political decisions often hide behind legal arguments to avoid political backlash; clarity is sacrificed for safety. **In simple terms:** Politicians use law to dodge politics. Key Takeaway Watch for hidden motives in policy. Themes politics law strategy Mood critical analytical Type political commentary When to use this quote - legislative debates - media analysis - public advocacy Key Concepts public policy risk management Questions to Reflect On - Why choose legal complexity over directness? - What are the risks of avoiding political risk? A Different Perspective Legal framing can obscure true intentions and public impact. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Clarity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clarity/) [Courage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courage/) [E commerce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/e-commerce/) [Political](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/political/) [Political courage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/political-courage/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Tax increase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tax-increase/) ## Related quotes > [Political courage requires clarity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-klein/political-courage-requires-clarity/) [Joe Klein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-klein/) > [After much reflection, I have concluded that the federal individual mandate, which requires all Americans to purchase health insurance starting in 2014, will not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-williams/after-much-reflection-i-have-concluded-that-the-federal-individual/) [Ron Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-williams/) > [Prior to passage of Obamacare, Americans spoke out against the individual mandate; they didn't want to change the health care they had; they didn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-upton/prior-to-passage-of-obamacare-americans-spoke-out-against-the/) [Fred Upton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-upton/) > [I fully support Attorney General Cuccinelli and his efforts in challenging the constitutionality of the individual mandate provision in the health care legislation, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-hurt/i-fully-support-attorney-general-cuccinelli-and-his-efforts-in/) [Robert Hurt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-hurt/) > [The Affordable Care Act's contribution to longer and healthier lives is being overshadowed by the individual mandate question.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-wiley/the-affordable-care-act-s-contribution-to-longer-and-healthier-lives/) [Maya Wiley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-wiley/) > [I always worked very hard against the unconstitutional individual mandate in health care. I didn't praise it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michele-bachmann/i-always-worked-very-hard-against-the-unconstitutional-individual/) [Michele Bachmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michele-bachmann/) > [The United States of America took a giant step toward a totalitarian socialist government when the Supreme Court voted to uphold Obamacare, allowing the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-daniels/the-united-states-of-america-took-a-giant-step-toward-a-totalitarian/) [Charlie Daniels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-daniels/) > [We have to enforce the individual mandate. We're losing a lot of money that is not coming into the system.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-sanders/we-have-to-enforce-the-individual-mandate-we-re-losing-a-lot-of-money/) [Bernie Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-sanders/) > [This is something the Democrats have talked about, and a goal we share, getting everyone insured, and solving the issue in a Republican way,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitt-romney/this-is-something-the-democrats-have-talked-about-and-a-goal-we-share/) [Mitt Romney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitt-romney/) > [The attack on ObamaCare was that Congress does not have the power under the Commerce Clause to force a private citizen into a private…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-podhoretz/the-attack-on-obamacare-was-that-congress-does-not-have-the-power/) [John Podhoretz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-podhoretz/) > [If Congress can regulate this under the Commerce Clause, then it can regulate virtually anything-and the Federal Government is no longer one of limited…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarence-thomas/if-congress-can-regulate-this-under-the-commerce-clause-then-it-can/) [Clarence Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarence-thomas/) > [I have very deep concern about the legacy of the Rehnquist court and its efforts to restrict congressional authority to enact legislation by adopting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dianne-feinstein/i-have-very-deep-concern-about-the-legacy-of-the-rehnquist-court-and/) [Dianne Feinstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dianne-feinstein/) > [The Supreme Court, in 2005, emphasized and contrasted the great power of Congress under the Commerce Clause to regulate interstate commerce versus much more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-ann-radnofsky/the-supreme-court-in-2005-emphasized-and-contrasted-the-great-power/) [Barbara Ann Radnofsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-ann-radnofsky/) > [“The Supreme Court upheld the law in the 2012 decision of National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius, but not because it believed the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brion-t-mcclanahan/the-supreme-court-upheld-the-law-in-the-2012-decision-of-national/) [Brion T. McClanahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brion-t-mcclanahan/) > [The Supreme Court has never ruled that Congress can use the Commerce Clause to require individuals to engage in an activity they have chosen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cornyn/the-supreme-court-has-never-ruled-that-congress-can-use-the-commerce/) [John Cornyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cornyn/) ## More by Joe Klein > [You know, when George Bush talks about freedom not being America's gift to world but God's gift to all humankind, it smells like market…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-klein/you-know-when-george-bush-talks-about-freedom-not-being-america-s/) [Joe Klein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-klein/) > [When I started in the press there were really ink-stained wretches. Not everybody went to college. Now, everybody at the New York Times and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-klein/when-i-started-in-the-press-there-were-really-ink-stained-wretches/) [Joe Klein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-klein/) > [In 2012 there was a megafoolish, if well-funded, effort by a group called Americans Elect to raise an independent Cincinnatus to run for president…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-klein/in-2012-there-was-a-megafoolish-if-well-funded-effort-by-a-group/) [Joe Klein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-klein/) > [We journalists are never so idiotic as when we analyze things that we shouldn't be analyzing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-klein/we-journalists-are-never-so-idiotic-as-when-we-analyze-things-that-we/) [Joe Klein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-klein/) > [You know, larger-than-life politicians have larger-than-life strengths and larger-than-life weaknesses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-klein/you-know-larger-than-life-politicians-have-larger-than-life-strengths/) [Joe Klein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-klein/) > [I believe that poverty is often the result of inappropriate behavior - out-of-wedlock births, dropping out of school, crime and drugs - which should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-klein/i-believe-that-poverty-is-often-the-result-of-inappropriate-behavior/) [Joe Klein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-klein/) > [That was the miracle of Abraham Lincoln, politician. He pursued the high purpose of moving justice forward via the low arts of patronage and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-klein/that-was-the-miracle-of-abraham-lincoln-politician-he-pursued-the/) [Joe Klein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-klein/) > [For me, a really radical position for journalism to take is to stop being cynical. Cynicism is what passes for insight among the mediocre.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-klein/for-me-a-really-radical-position-for-journalism-to-take-is-to-stop/) [Joe Klein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-klein/) > [Affirmative action was always racial justice on the cheap.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-klein/affirmative-action-was-always-racial-justice-on-the-cheap/) [Joe Klein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-klein/) > [I'm in favour of politicians having extra-marital relationships. Oh yeah. It makes them more understanding of the flaws that the rest of us have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-klein/i-m-in-favour-of-politicians-having-extra-marital-relationships-oh/) [Joe Klein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-klein/) > [In point of fact, 'Simpson-Bowles' has become a symbol, or SimBowl, rather than an actual plan, political shorthand for the process of long-term deficit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-klein/in-point-of-fact-simpson-bowles-has-become-a-symbol-or-simbowl-rather/) [Joe Klein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-klein/) > [I believe, I believe that the people who voted in those primaries for Donald Trump were at least helping him along with his message…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-klein/i-believe-i-believe-that-the-people-who-voted-in-those-primaries-for/) [Joe Klein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-klein/) > [“Faith, unaccompanied by rigorous skepticism, is a recipe for myopia and foolishness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-klein/faith-unaccompanied-by-rigorous-skepticism-is-a-recipe-for-myopia-and/) [Joe Klein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-klein/) > [This dilettante notion that the global economy is evil because big corporate leaders make too much money... they do make too much money, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-klein/this-dilettante-notion-that-the-global-economy-is-evil-because-big/) [Joe Klein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-klein/) > [I got into journalism because I came of age in the '60s. It just seemed one way for me to get things done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-klein/i-got-into-journalism-because-i-came-of-age-in-the-60s-it-just-seemed/) [Joe Klein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-klein/) [Explore all 54 Joe Klein quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-klein/) ## More Business quotes > [Companies with cultures that celebrate diverse opinions and encourage the exchange of ideas have an advantage when solving difficult problems. A company that doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-mcmillon/companies-with-cultures-that-celebrate-diverse-opinions-and-encourage/) [Doug McMillon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-mcmillon/) > [You can laugh at me, but I understand show business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ksenia-sobchak/you-can-laugh-at-me-but-i-understand-show-business/) [Ksenia Sobchak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ksenia-sobchak/) > [“Start a business, not a startup”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/start-a-business-not-a-startup/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Take some books and read; that’s an immense help; and books are always good company if you have the right sort.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louisa-may-alcott/take-some-books-and-read-that-s-an-immense-help-and-books-are-always/) [Louisa May Alcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louisa-may-alcott/) > [I'm a business first and foremost so whatever my business is, it's separate from my personal. It's like whatever I do business wise, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/snoop-dogg/i-m-a-business-first-and-foremost-so-whatever-my-business-is-it-s/) [Snoop Dogg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/snoop-dogg/) > [Many early-stage entrepreneurs make one simple mistake: Describing this 'big picture' in vague concepts and words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunil-nagaraj/many-early-stage-entrepreneurs-make-one-simple-mistake-describing/) [Sunil Nagaraj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunil-nagaraj/) > [Nobody has a crystal ball, and part of evolving a business plan is to say, 'I might have said we're going left, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-kavanaugh/nobody-has-a-crystal-ball-and-part-of-evolving-a-business-plan-is-to/) [Ryan Kavanaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-kavanaugh/) > [I think a business guy is different from an artist. They walk different paths. Artists create the best outputs when they're having fun. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-dragon/i-think-a-business-guy-is-different-from-an-artist-they-walk/) [G-Dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-dragon/) > [ “\[S\]ometimes, when you are a food person, the possible irrelevance of what you are doing doesn’t cross your mind until it’s too late. (Once,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-ephron/s-ometimes-when-you-are-a-food-person-the-possible-irrelevance-of/) [Nora Ephron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-ephron/) > [If you have a different mindset, you will have a different outcome: if you make different choices from your peers, your life will then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ma/if-you-have-a-different-mindset-you-will-have-a-different-outcome-if/) [Jack Ma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ma/) > [“Some say the Earth is angry Because he wants no company; I say the Earth is angry Because he lives alone.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-k-jemisin/some-say-the-earth-is-angry-because-he-wants-no-company-i-say-the/) [N.K. Jemisin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-k-jemisin/) > [ If the State does not acquire supremacy over \[vast private\] enterprises, it becomes their puppet, and they become the real State. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/if-the-state-does-not-acquire-supremacy-over-vast-private-enterprises/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [It's not just that families can't buy a home or start a business without some savings tucked away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-cooper/it-s-not-just-that-families-can-t-buy-a-home-or-start-a-business/) [Jim Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cooper/) > [I'm not into business at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/freddie-mercury/i-m-not-into-business-at-all/) [Freddie Mercury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/freddie-mercury/) > [I've long believed one of the mainsprings of our own liberty has been the widespread ownership of property among our people and the expectation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/i-ve-long-believed-one-of-the-mainsprings-of-our-own-liberty-has-been/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) [Browse all 39,016 Business quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Political courage requires clarity. The Obama Administration chose the tortured route of arguing the legality of the individual mandate via the interstate commerce clause for one simple reason: it did not want to take the political risk of allowing opponents to call it a tax increase. That was stupid. The Republicans were calling it a tax increase anyway.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Joe Klein" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-klein/political-courage-requires-clarity-the-obama-administration-chose-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Business" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-klein/political-courage-requires-clarity-the-obama-administration-chose-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/378/joe-klein-12661_business_political-courage-requires-clarity-the-o_1225896.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/378/joe-klein-12661_business_political-courage-requires-clarity-the-o_1225896.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/378/joe-klein-12661_business_political-courage-requires-clarity-the-o_1225896.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Political courage requires clarity. The Obama Administration chose the tortured route of arguing the…” — Joe Klein", "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": "Joe Klein", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-klein/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Political courage requires clarity. The Obama...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-klein/political-courage-requires-clarity-the-obama-administration-chose-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-klein/political-courage-requires-clarity-the-obama-administration-chose-the/#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 } } ] } ```