--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The way you have bipartisan negotiations…" description: "\"The way you have bipartisan negotiations, you sit down across the table, as we did with Ted Kennedy, as I've done with many other members, and you say,..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b39/john-mccain-465_bipartisan_the-way-you-have-bipartisan-negotiations_844237.jpg" --- # The way you have bipartisan negotiations, you sit down… ![“The way you have bipartisan negotiations, you sit down across the table, as we did with Ted Kennedy, as I've done with many other members, and you say, 'OK, here's what I want, here's what you want. We'll adhere to your principles, but we'll make concessions.'” quote by John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b39/john-mccain-465_bipartisan_the-way-you-have-bipartisan-negotiations_844237.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b39/john-mccain-465_bipartisan_the-way-you-have-bipartisan-negotiations_844237.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b39/john-mccain-465_bipartisan_the-way-you-have-bipartisan-negotiations_844237.jpg) > “The way you have bipartisan negotiations, you sit down across the table, as we did with Ted Kennedy, as I've done with many other members, and you say, 'OK, here's what I want, here's what you want. We'll adhere to your principles, but we'll make concessions.'” [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Effective negotiation involves clear proposals, respecting others' principles, and making concessions to reach agreement. **In simple terms:** Present your goals, respect theirs, and compromise. Key Takeaway Negotiate with clarity and flexibility. Themes politics negotiation collaboration compromise Mood strategic pragmatic Type political advisory When to use this quote - legislative talks - business deals - conflict resolution - team projects Key Concepts strategic communication power dynamics mutual benefit Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance principle with compromise? - When should you hold firm? A Different Perspective Over‑emphasizing concessions can weaken your position. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bipartisan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bipartisan/) [Bipartisan Negotiations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bipartisan-negotiations-677491/) [Done](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/done/) [Members](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/members/) [Negotiation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/negotiation/) [Negotiations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/negotiations/) [Negotiations Sit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/negotiations-sit-677493/) [Principles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principles/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) [Way Bipartisan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way-bipartisan-677492/) ## Related quotes > [I see negotiations as an honest attempt to reach a deal that's great for everyone at the table. But sometimes, for whatever reason, that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-o-leary/i-see-negotiations-as-an-honest-attempt-to-reach-a-deal-that-s-great/) [Kevin O'Leary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-o-leary/) > [We will not engage in an endless process of negotiations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/we-will-not-engage-in-an-endless-process-of-negotiations/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [“In classic Steve fashion, he would agree to something, but it would never happen,” said Lack. “He would set you up and then pull…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-isaacson/in-classic-steve-fashion-he-would-agree-to-something-but-it-would/) [Walter Isaacson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-isaacson/) > [The proposed liberal solution was always negotiation. Just as they believed in nuclear arms negotiations for their own sake, they believe in a "peace…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mona-charen/the-proposed-liberal-solution-was-always-negotiation-just-as-they/) [Mona Charen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mona-charen/) > [Like all my poems, 'Negotiations' has several sources. It deals with aging lovers and the often silent deals they make. Thinking about bargains made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rae-armantrout/like-all-my-poems-negotiations-has-several-sources-it-deals-with/) [Rae Armantrout](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rae-armantrout/) > [Those who had demanded no more than an end to the bombing of North Vietnam and a commitment to negotiations saw their demands being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/those-who-had-demanded-no-more-than-an-end-to-the-bombing-of-north/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [I believe that sitting naked across from your adversary in a steam room makes negotiations more productive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-shapiro/i-believe-that-sitting-naked-across-from-your-adversary-in-a-steam/) [David Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-shapiro/) > [We don't point a pistol at our own forehead. That is not the way to conduct negotiations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-netanyahu/we-don-t-point-a-pistol-at-our-own-forehead-that-is-not-the-way-to/) [Benjamin Netanyahu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-netanyahu/) > [“But in my experience, there is one way to signal your commitment to process that all negotiations provide: Always keep your word, even when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-malhotra/but-in-my-experience-there-is-one-way-to-signal-your-commitment-to/) [Deepak Malhotra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-malhotra/) > [“Civilization is the general agreement to refrain from resorting to violence if negotiations fail.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stefan-molyneux/civilization-is-the-general-agreement-to-refrain-from-resorting-to/) [Stefan Molyneux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stefan-molyneux/) > [“But up until that time I want you just to follow my lead and don’t worry. There are negotiations going on that will solve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-puzo/but-up-until-that-time-i-want-you-just-to-follow-my-lead-and-don-t/) [Mario Puzo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-puzo/) > [The first principle of contract negotiations is don't remind them of what you did in the past - tell them what you're going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stan-musial/the-first-principle-of-contract-negotiations-is-don-t-remind-them-of/) [Stan Musial](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stan-musial/) > [“International peace negotiations need more value creation than value claiming. The more we create value for peace and development, the easier it is going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-ray/international-peace-negotiations-need-more-value-creation-than-value/) [Amit Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-ray/) > [During negotiations nothing is gained by attacking people's comfort zones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-sugar/during-negotiations-nothing-is-gained-by-attacking-people-s-comfort/) [Alan Sugar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-sugar/) > [“The thing about negotiations, not to mention the manipulation, is you can't go too far in any direction. Refusing once is good, twice is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/the-thing-about-negotiations-not-to-mention-the-manipulation-is-you/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) ## More by John McCain > [I have the utmost confidence in General Mattis, General Flynn, General Kelly, Dan Coates. I couldn't have picked a better team. And so I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/i-have-the-utmost-confidence-in-general-mattis-general-flynn-general/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [Washington is a Hollywood for ugly people. Hollywood is a Washington for the simpleminded.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/washington-is-a-hollywood-for-ugly-people-hollywood-is-a-washington/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [I think that it's important that we understand the importance of the Hispanic vote in America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/i-think-that-it-s-important-that-we-understand-the-importance-of-the/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [ I will not agree to have this bill \[to repeal DADT \] go forward, because our economy is in the tank. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/i-will-not-agree-to-have-this-bill-to-repeal-dadt-go-forward-because/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [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/) > [It is perhaps my greatest hope, Mr. President, that some day we'll consider tax and spending measures with no one else in mind but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/it-is-perhaps-my-greatest-hope-mr-president-that-some-day-we-ll/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [This kind of horror has become all too familiar to us. As parents, Cindy and I offer our prayers to the memory of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/this-kind-of-horror-has-become-all-too-familiar-to-us-as-parents/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [Thousands of Americans have given their lives in Afghanistan and Iraq upholding their oaths and defending this nation. Chelsea Manning broke her oath and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/thousands-of-americans-have-given-their-lives-in-afghanistan-and-iraq/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [The truth is sometimes a hard pill to swallow. It sometimes causes us difficulties at home and abroad. It is sometimes used by our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/the-truth-is-sometimes-a-hard-pill-to-swallow-it-sometimes-causes-us/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [Countries, not just their armies, win wars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/countries-not-just-their-armies-win-wars/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [My greatest fear is the Iranians acquire a nuclear weapon and give it to a terrorist organization. And there is a real threat of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/my-greatest-fear-is-the-iranians-acquire-a-nuclear-weapon-and-give-it/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [Presidential ambition is a disease that can only be cured by embalming fluid .](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/presidential-ambition-is-a-disease-that-can-only-be-cured-by/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [3 "amnesty" didn't mean rewarding illegal behavior.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/3-amnesty-didn-t-mean-rewarding-illegal-behavior/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [On the subject of Osama bin Laden... we will track him down. We will capture him. We will bring him to justice, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/on-the-subject-of-osama-bin-laden-we-will-track-him-down-we-will/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [That's Joe Biden right there - unbowed, unbroken and unable to stop talking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/that-s-joe-biden-right-there-unbowed-unbroken-and-unable-to-stop/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) [Explore all 539 John McCain quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) ## More Bipartisan quotes > [When you hang the 'bipartisan' tag on something, the perception is that differences have been worked out, and there's a broad agreement that that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-mcconnell/when-you-hang-the-bipartisan-tag-on-something-the-perception-is-that/) [Mitch McConnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-mcconnell/) > [It's encouraging to watch bipartisan leaders from different states recognize the need for fair and rational legislation focused on creating second chances for those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-g-rubin/it-s-encouraging-to-watch-bipartisan-leaders-from-different-states/) [Michael G. Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-g-rubin/) > [What we need is a bipartisan commitment to improving the laws on the books, to lower premiums, to improve access and improve quality of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-ossoff/what-we-need-is-a-bipartisan-commitment-to-improving-the-laws-on-the/) [Jon Ossoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-ossoff/) > [We will build a Navy of 350 surface ships and submarines, as recommended by the bipartisan National Defense Panel. We right now only have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/we-will-build-a-navy-of-350-surface-ships-and-submarines-as/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [It's not just about talking. It's about - can you actually achieve objectives? I was very proud of what we were able to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-faulconer/it-s-not-just-about-talking-it-s-about-can-you-actually-achieve/) [Kevin Faulconer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-faulconer/) > [I have also come to understand Congress' need for a bipartisan as well as a partisan capacity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-price/i-have-also-come-to-understand-congress-need-for-a-bipartisan-as-well/) [David Price](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-price/) > [When Americans are worried about losing their jobs, their savings, their homes and their chance at the American Dream, Congress and the president must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-pelosi/when-americans-are-worried-about-losing-their-jobs-their-savings/) [Nancy Pelosi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-pelosi/) > [Mr. Speaker, for the last 5 years I have been working with a bipartisan group of my colleagues to make it illegal to continue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/earl-blumenauer/mr-speaker-for-the-last-5-years-i-have-been-working-with-a-bipartisan/) [Earl Blumenauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/earl-blumenauer/) > [I welcome the Democrats' ideas on Social Security. I think it is very important to make a bipartisan reform.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kingston/i-welcome-the-democrats-ideas-on-social-security-i-think-it-is-very/) [Jack Kingston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kingston/) > [I am long term optimistic and short term pessimistic on immigration. Long term, I'm optimistic because there's a lotta bipartisan agreement outside of Washington…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/i-am-long-term-optimistic-and-short-term-pessimistic-on-immigration/) [Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/) > [I am now more sure than ever that we're going to have a bipartisan bill ... making incredible progress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-diaz-balart/i-am-now-more-sure-than-ever-that-we-re-going-to-have-a-bipartisan/) [Mario Diaz-Balart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-diaz-balart/) > [Yesterday I, along with a bipartisan Congressional Delegation of lawmakers, inspected the detention facilities at Guantanamo used to house individuals detained in the War…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-ryun/yesterday-i-along-with-a-bipartisan-congressional-delegation-of/) [Jim Ryun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-ryun/) > [We have neglected our aerospace program, and I am detecting a lot of bipartisan support to continue that mission.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luther-strange/we-have-neglected-our-aerospace-program-and-i-am-detecting-a-lot-of/) [Luther Strange](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luther-strange/) > [“Pick a leader who will keep jobs in your country by offering companies incentives to hire only within their borders, not one who allows…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzy-kassem/pick-a-leader-who-will-keep-jobs-in-your-country-by-offering/) [Suzy Kassem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzy-kassem/) > [I think you'll find that these are measures that have great bipartisan support, and so I expect, not only did we do well in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-think-you-ll-find-that-these-are-measures-that-have-great/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) [Browse all 300 Bipartisan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bipartisan/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The way you have bipartisan negotiations, you sit down across the table, as we did with Ted Kennedy, as I've done with many other members, and you say, 'OK, here's what I want, here's what you want. 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