--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Hope is not the basis for policy. Wise…" description: "\"Hope is not the basis for policy. Wise policymakers analyze major issues such as immigration carefully and look at facts and probabilities instead of j..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d91/laura-ingraham-15407_best_hope-is-not-the-basis-for-policy-wise-po_1873544.jpg" --- # Hope is not the basis for policy. Wise policymakers… ![“Hope is not the basis for policy. Wise policymakers analyze major issues such as immigration carefully and look at facts and probabilities instead of just hoping for the best.” quote by Laura Ingraham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d91/laura-ingraham-15407_best_hope-is-not-the-basis-for-policy-wise-po_1873544.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d91/laura-ingraham-15407_best_hope-is-not-the-basis-for-policy-wise-po_1873544.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d91/laura-ingraham-15407_best_hope-is-not-the-basis-for-policy-wise-po_1873544.jpg) > “Hope is not the basis for policy. Wise policymakers analyze major issues such as immigration carefully and look at facts and probabilities instead of just hoping for the best.” [Laura Ingraham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-ingraham/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Policy should be grounded in data and analysis rather than optimism; decisions need factual assessment of risks and probabilities. **In simple terms:** Make policy based on facts, not hope. Key Takeaway Prioritize data‑driven analysis in policymaking. Themes policy analysis realism Mood analytical pragmatic Type opinion policy When to use this quote - immigration reform - healthcare planning - economic strategy - climate policy Key Concepts evidence‑based decision making risk assessment Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance optimism with evidence? - What data should guide immigration policy? A Different Perspective Hope can motivate but may overlook complex realities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Hope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hope/) [Hoping for the best](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hoping-for-the-best/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) [Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wise/) ## Related quotes > [I don't know enough about politics to act like I know anything that's going on or what anybody's standing for policy-wise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jelly-roll/i-don-t-know-enough-about-politics-to-act-like-i-know-anything-that-s/) [Jelly Roll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jelly-roll/) > [The world is dealing with issues of immigration, deindustrialization, and poverty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-glover/the-world-is-dealing-with-issues-of-immigration-deindustrialization/) [Danny Glover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-glover/) > [I have traveled around Minnesota and addressed many issues, and immigration is one of those issues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-pawlenty/i-have-traveled-around-minnesota-and-addressed-many-issues-and/) [Tim Pawlenty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-pawlenty/) > [Can policy be both wise and aggressively partisan? Ask any Republican worth his salt and the answer will be an unequivocal yes. Ask a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-frank/can-policy-be-both-wise-and-aggressively-partisan-ask-any-republican/) [Thomas Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-frank/) > [We don't have a divine right to success. So I agree with a lot of politicians out there when they say, 'We've got serious…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-dimon/we-don-t-have-a-divine-right-to-success-so-i-agree-with-a-lot-of/) [Jamie Dimon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-dimon/) > [“The firmness of the purpose cannot end with the use of strong forces and power. It can solve to take and give policy. Wise…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ehsan-sehgal/the-firmness-of-the-purpose-cannot-end-with-the-use-of-strong-forces/) [Ehsan Sehgal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ehsan-sehgal/) > [“The firmness of the purpose cannot end by the using of strong forces and power. It can solve to take and give policy. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ehsan-sehgal/the-firmness-of-the-purpose-cannot-end-by-the-using-of-strong-forces/) [Ehsan Sehgal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ehsan-sehgal/) > [The skepticism that has grown up about elites is totally justified. Since 2008, no one has gone to jail on Wall Street for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katty-kay/the-skepticism-that-has-grown-up-about-elites-is-totally-justified/) [Katty Kay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katty-kay/) > [In a word, we may gather out of History a policy no less wise than I eternal; by the comparison and application of other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-raleigh/in-a-word-we-may-gather-out-of-history-a-policy-no-less-wise-than-i/) [Walter Raleigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-raleigh/) > [I want to help correct the inaccurate image of immigration in the media. There is an idea that women's issues are over here and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-steinem/i-want-to-help-correct-the-inaccurate-image-of-immigration-in-the/) [Gloria Steinem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-steinem/) > [To that world assembly of sovereign states, the United Nations, our last best hope in an age where the instruments of war have far…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/to-that-world-assembly-of-sovereign-states-the-united-nations-our/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) > [Hope for the best and work for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deval-patrick/hope-for-the-best-and-work-for-it/) [Deval Patrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deval-patrick/) > [Hope for the best is what we do, right from the moment we're born.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/hope-for-the-best-is-what-we-do-right-from-the-moment-we-re-born/) [Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/) > [Of course, any job is scary, but you tackle the challenges head on and hope for the best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-hall/of-course-any-job-is-scary-but-you-tackle-the-challenges-head-on-and/) [Rebecca Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-hall/) > [As we keep or break the Sabbath Day we nobly save or meanly lose the last best hope by which man rises.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/as-we-keep-or-break-the-sabbath-day-we-nobly-save-or-meanly-lose-the/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) ## More by Laura Ingraham > [Certainly these are not easy times. But history does not contain very many easy times. Years from now, we will look back at this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-ingraham/certainly-these-are-not-easy-times-but-history-does-not-contain-very/) [Laura Ingraham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-ingraham/) > [Well I think that what we're seeing now is that the people feel like they, the people in Congress don't have their consent to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-ingraham/well-i-think-that-what-we-re-seeing-now-is-that-the-people-feel-like/) [Laura Ingraham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-ingraham/) > [Solutions-oriented campaigning with a little passion and a little humor; I think that will go a long way. I think people are desperate for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-ingraham/solutions-oriented-campaigning-with-a-little-passion-and-a-little/) [Laura Ingraham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-ingraham/) > [I'm an equal-opportunity critic when it comes to left-wing celebrities sounding off on topics of which they know precious little.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-ingraham/i-m-an-equal-opportunity-critic-when-it-comes-to-left-wing/) [Laura Ingraham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-ingraham/) > [The president has a duty and a right to oversee the FBI, and you know, he properly delegate the law enforcement to the FBI…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-ingraham/the-president-has-a-duty-and-a-right-to-oversee-the-fbi-and-you-know/) [Laura Ingraham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-ingraham/) > [The American movement, Tea Party, whatever you want to call it, I think that is a very hopeful moment for the country and, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-ingraham/the-american-movement-tea-party-whatever-you-want-to-call-it-i-think/) [Laura Ingraham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-ingraham/) > [“Our nation’s capital has become the seat of a ‘buddy’ system that functions for its own benefit—increasingly insensitive to the needs of the American…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-ingraham/our-nation-s-capital-has-become-the-seat-of-a-buddy-system-that/) [Laura Ingraham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-ingraham/) > [In 2003, I wrote a New York Times best-seller called 'Shut Up & Sing,' in which I criticized celebrities like the Dixie Chicks &…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-ingraham/in-2003-i-wrote-a-new-york-times-best-seller-called-shut-up-sing-in/) [Laura Ingraham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-ingraham/) > [Recent history shows that leaders in both parties are fanatics on the topic of immigration, and they cannot be trusted to effectively enforce any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-ingraham/recent-history-shows-that-leaders-in-both-parties-are-fanatics-on-the/) [Laura Ingraham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-ingraham/) > [Our country is in deep trouble. To talk and re-litigate in 1998, or even what Mitt Romney said or didn't say in 1994 or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-ingraham/our-country-is-in-deep-trouble-to-talk-and-re-litigate-in-1998-or/) [Laura Ingraham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-ingraham/) > [Incredible that liberals aren't more concerned about the monopoly of information in South Dakota.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-ingraham/incredible-that-liberals-aren-t-more-concerned-about-the-monopoly-of/) [Laura Ingraham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-ingraham/) > [A movement election is a different type of election. It's an election where the people start moving into a direction because they think the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-ingraham/a-movement-election-is-a-different-type-of-election-it-s-an-election/) [Laura Ingraham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-ingraham/) > [We are a nation divided, but that's what makes us, in a way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-ingraham/we-are-a-nation-divided-but-that-s-what-makes-us-in-a-way/) [Laura Ingraham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-ingraham/) > [Among immigrants today, it is increasingly fashionable to reject American exceptionalism in favor of multiculturalism. To pretend that this isn't happening isn't optimism; it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-ingraham/among-immigrants-today-it-is-increasingly-fashionable-to-reject/) [Laura Ingraham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-ingraham/) > [There's a rule of thumb in politics. If you're at a point where you're complaining about the other guy being mean and unfair and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-ingraham/there-s-a-rule-of-thumb-in-politics-if-you-re-at-a-point-where-you-re/) [Laura Ingraham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-ingraham/) [Explore all 43 Laura Ingraham quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-ingraham/) ## More Best quotes > [Failures happen. You can't cry over them. You just take it in your stride because you know that you have done your best... 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When I knew I could work with him I was very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ederson/it-s-no-wonder-pep-is-one-of-the-best-coaches-in-the-world-when-i/) [Ederson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ederson/) > [“Before you were my enemy, you were my best friend.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kresley-cole/before-you-were-my-enemy-you-were-my-best-friend/) [Kresley Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kresley-cole/) > [If we accept being talked to any kind of a way, then we are telling ourselves we are not quite worth the best. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/if-we-accept-being-talked-to-any-kind-of-a-way-then-we-are-telling/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [I want to be perceived as a guy who played his best in all facets, not just scoring. A guy who loved challenges.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jordan/i-want-to-be-perceived-as-a-guy-who-played-his-best-in-all-facets-not/) [Michael Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jordan/) > [I feel like I'm the best, but you're not going to get me to say that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-rice/i-feel-like-i-m-the-best-but-you-re-not-going-to-get-me-to-say-that/) [Jerry Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-rice/) > [Life is where you love people and use things not use people and love things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/babloo/life-is-where-you-love-people-and-use-things-not-use-people-and-love/) [Babloo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/babloo/) > [With every product, the delta between the brand and the reality determines its power over the minds of consumers, and with Trump, that delta…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-wilson/with-every-product-the-delta-between-the-brand-and-the-reality/) [Rick Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-wilson/) > [The human element should be the two players on the court, not the officials. The best officials are the ones you never notice. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-scott/the-human-element-should-be-the-two-players-on-the-court-not-the/) Gene Scott > [I'm looking to fight the best guys in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yair-rodriguez/i-m-looking-to-fight-the-best-guys-in-the-world/) [Yair Rodriguez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yair-rodriguez/) > [Batley and Spen has a high proportion of people working in manufacturing, and we can boast the full range of industries, including high-skilled, precision…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-cox/batley-and-spen-has-a-high-proportion-of-people-working-in/) [Jo Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-cox/) > [It is no secret that I have read 'The Da Vinci Code' several times. 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