--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Why is it always liberals who seem so…" description: "\"Why is it always liberals who seem so genuinely, overtly surprised when black candidates are viable candidates, and in their surprise, evoke old, damag..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f50/mary-katharine-ham-5137_existence_why-is-it-always-liberals-who-seem-so-ge_2917992.jpg" --- # Why is it always liberals who seem so genuinely, overtly… ![“Why is it always liberals who seem so genuinely, overtly surprised when black candidates are viable candidates, and in their surprise, evoke old, damaging stereotypes about them? If you'll excuse a Bushism, I think it's because much of their political philosophy and existence depends upon…” quote by Mary Katharine Ham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f50/mary-katharine-ham-5137_existence_why-is-it-always-liberals-who-seem-so-ge_2917992.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f50/mary-katharine-ham-5137_existence_why-is-it-always-liberals-who-seem-so-ge_2917992.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f50/mary-katharine-ham-5137_existence_why-is-it-always-liberals-who-seem-so-ge_2917992.jpg) > “Why is it always liberals who seem so genuinely, overtly surprised when black candidates are viable candidates, and in their surprise, evoke old, damaging stereotypes about them? If you'll excuse a Bushism, I think it's because much of their political philosophy and existence depends upon misunderestimating minorities.” [Mary Katharine Ham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-katharine-ham/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote criticizes liberal surprise at Black candidates, suggesting it stems from underestimating minorities and perpetuating stereotypes. **In simple terms:** Liberals are surprised by Black candidates because they underestimate minorities. Key Takeaway Recognize and challenge hidden biases. Themes politics race stereotypes liberalism bias Mood critical reflective Type analytical commentary When to use this quote - elections - media commentary - policy discussions - diversity training Key Concepts social perception political philosophy racial dynamics Questions to Reflect On - How do personal biases shape political reactions? - What steps can reduce stereotype-driven surprise? A Different Perspective The statement may overgeneralize liberals and ignore individual variation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Black Candidates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/black-candidates-4236736/) [Bushism Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bushism-think-4236737/) [Existence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/existence/) [Liberals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberals/) [Liberals Genuinely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberals-genuinely-1399650/) [Misunderestimating Minorities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/misunderestimating-minorities-4236738/) [Old](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old/) [Political philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/political-philosophy/) [Stereotypes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stereotypes/) [Surprise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/surprise/) ## Related quotes > [During the 2008 presidential campaign, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid marveled at the electability of Barack Obama because, unlike previous black candidates, Mr. Obama…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-crowley/during-the-2008-presidential-campaign-senate-majority-leader-harry/) [Monica Crowley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-crowley/) > [Liberals genuinely believe that this country is about helping one another out and doing it for the greater good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ana-kasparian/liberals-genuinely-believe-that-this-country-is-about-helping-one/) [Ana Kasparian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ana-kasparian/) > [Who knew, in 2000, that compassionate conservatism meant bigger government, unrestricted government spending, government intrusion in personal matters, government ineptitude, and cronyism in disaster…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-buckley/who-knew-in-2000-that-compassionate-conservatism-meant-bigger/) [Christopher Buckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-buckley/) > [“Your right of religious freedom ends where my right of religious abstinence begins...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-rafael-cimino/your-right-of-religious-freedom-ends-where-my-right-of-religious/) [T. 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I like to face issues…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-albert/i-very-much-dislike-doctrinaire-liberals-they-want-to-own-your-minds/) [Carl Albert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-albert/) > [“My commitment is to urge us all toward moderation and good will toward fellow citizens. If we can set aside unworthy emotions that deepen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-rasley/my-commitment-is-to-urge-us-all-toward-moderation-and-good-will/) [Jeff Rasley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-rasley/) > [“It is your duty,' he said, 'to recover your country not by gold but by the sword. You will be fighting with all you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/livy/it-is-your-duty-he-said-to-recover-your-country-not-by-gold-but-by/) [Livy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/livy/) > [“If anyone rises to power, it's not only because he could, but also because the stars were aligned in his favor. 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Chandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-f-chandler/) > [ People of Haiti, I am the heir to the political philosophy, the doctrine and the revolution which my late father incarnated as president-for-life \[and\]… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-claude-duvalier/people-of-haiti-i-am-the-heir-to-the-political-philosophy-the/) [Jean-Claude Duvalier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-claude-duvalier/) > [Anarchism as a political philosophy seeks to dissolve all forms of authority and power, and if possible, wishes their complete abolition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-marshall/anarchism-as-a-political-philosophy-seeks-to-dissolve-all-forms-of/) [Peter Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-marshall/) ## More by Mary Katharine Ham > [TV images are powerful and sometimes unfair.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-katharine-ham/tv-images-are-powerful-and-sometimes-unfair/) [Mary Katharine Ham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-katharine-ham/) > [People will take every opportunity to pay you nothing if you're willing to do your work for free, be you man or woman. 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