--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Bipartisanship is not what is missing in…" description: "\"Bipartisanship is not what is missing in Washington. Common sense is.\" — Rand Paul" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a7d/rand-paul-606_bipartisanship_bipartisanship-is-not-what-is-missing-in_1807858.jpg" --- # Bipartisanship is not what is missing in Washington… ![“Bipartisanship is not what is missing in Washington. Common sense is.” quote by Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a7d/rand-paul-606_bipartisanship_bipartisanship-is-not-what-is-missing-in_1807858.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a7d/rand-paul-606_bipartisanship_bipartisanship-is-not-what-is-missing-in_1807858.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a7d/rand-paul-606_bipartisanship_bipartisanship-is-not-what-is-missing-in_1807858.jpg) > “Bipartisanship is not what is missing in Washington. Common sense is.” [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Washington lacks common sense, not bipartisanship. **In simple terms:** Common sense missing, not cooperation. Key Takeaway Promote practical, bipartisan solutions. Themes politics common sense bipartisanship policy governance Mood critical analytical Type political philosophical When to use this quote - legislative negotiations - public debates - policy drafting Key Concepts rational discourse collaboration civic responsibility Questions to Reflect On - How can we define common sense in diverse societies? - What mechanisms foster rational bipartisan dialogue? A Different Perspective Common sense is subjective and varies across cultures. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bipartisanship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bipartisanship/) [Bipartisanship Missing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bipartisanship-missing-2088510/) [Common](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/common/) [Common sense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/common-sense/) [Missing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/missing/) [Missing Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/missing-washington-2088511/) [Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trump/) [Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/washington/) [Washington Common](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/washington-common-2088512/) ## Related quotes > [I don't think I'm really open to having Washington change me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-don-t-think-i-m-really-open-to-having-washington-change-me/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [The American spirit wears no political label. In service to others and yes, in sacrifice for our country, there are no Republicans; there are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-american-spirit-wears-no-political-label-in-service-to-others-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I understand that one of the purposes of bipartisanship is to cram something difficult and necessary down the American people's gullets for which neither…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-wolcott/i-understand-that-one-of-the-purposes-of-bipartisanship-is-to-cram/) [James Wolcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-wolcott/) > [Above all else stands the burning question of bipartisanship. Whatever else the politicians might say they're about, our news analysts know that this is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-frank/above-all-else-stands-the-burning-question-of-bipartisanship-whatever/) [Thomas Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-frank/) > [“There are not enough purple states. No one votes in primaries, except the most ideological. And big money comes in to support or oppose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-bayh/there-are-not-enough-purple-states-no-one-votes-in-primaries-except/) [Evan Bayh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-bayh/) > [Bipartisanship isn't an option anymore; it is a requirement. The American people have divided responsibility for leadership right down the middle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-daschle/bipartisanship-isn-t-an-option-anymore-it-is-a-requirement-the/) [Tom Daschle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-daschle/) > [Bipartisanship helps to avoid extremes and imbalances. It causes compromises and accommodations. So let's cooperate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zbigniew-brzezinski/bipartisanship-helps-to-avoid-extremes-and-imbalances-it-causes/) [Zbigniew Brzezinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zbigniew-brzezinski/) > [First, we must continually reaffirm the principle that the security of the United States is not, and should never be, a partisan matter. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-cohen/first-we-must-continually-reaffirm-the-principle-that-the-security-of/) [William Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-cohen/) > [I think one of the first steps - and I'm glad we were able to reach, again, a bipartisan agreement - is an accountability…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-miller/i-think-one-of-the-first-steps-and-i-m-glad-we-were-able-to-reach/) [Jeff Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-miller/) > [Bipartisanship is nice, but it cannot be a substitute for action, not having it cannot prevent us from going forward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-pelosi/bipartisanship-is-nice-but-it-cannot-be-a-substitute-for-action-not/) [Nancy Pelosi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-pelosi/) > [If you're a progressive, you can find lots of people who call themselves conservatives, but who agree with you on lots of things. There…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-lakoff/if-you-re-a-progressive-you-can-find-lots-of-people-who-call/) [George Lakoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-lakoff/) > [Public officials insult our intelligence and our goodwill when they paint rosy pictures about budgets, jobs, bipartisanship, and transparency, and alter their positions on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/public-officials-insult-our-intelligence-and-our-goodwill-when-they/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [This country cannot afford to tear itself apart on a partisan basis on issues so vital to our national security.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-a-kissinger/this-country-cannot-afford-to-tear-itself-apart-on-a-partisan-basis/) [Henry A. Kissinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-a-kissinger/) > [“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/) > [The best way to begin genuine bipartisanship to make America stronger is to work together on the real crises facing our country, not to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kerry/the-best-way-to-begin-genuine-bipartisanship-to-make-america-stronger/) [John F. Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kerry/) ## More by Rand Paul > [I have a question, a question for the president: Do you hate all rich people, or just rich people who don't contribute to your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-have-a-question-a-question-for-the-president-do-you-hate-all-rich/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [I am encouraged President Obama now says he will fulfill his constitutional obligation to seek authorization for any potential military action in Syria. This…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-am-encouraged-president-obama-now-says-he-will-fulfill-his/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [I can tell you who's planning terroris attacks. The leaders of ISIL. And I can tell you where they're at. They're in Raqqa, Syria.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-can-tell-you-who-s-planning-terroris-attacks-the-leaders-of-isil/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [There comes a time, in the history of Nations when fear and forgetfulness cause a nation to hesitate, to waver and perhaps even to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/there-comes-a-time-in-the-history-of-nations-when-fear-and/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [As long as I sit at Henry Clay's desk, I will remember his lifelong desire to forge agreement, but I will also keep close…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/as-long-as-i-sit-at-henry-clay-s-desk-i-will-remember-his-lifelong/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [I believe people ought to be treated fairly under the law. I see no reason why if the marriage contract conveys certain things that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-believe-people-ought-to-be-treated-fairly-under-the-law-i-see-no/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [I think that, most importantly, when I see issues of war, I see them in a personal vein, and I am reluctant to go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-think-that-most-importantly-when-i-see-issues-of-war-i-see-them-in/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [I would have handled it differently than the mayor of Baltimore, that's for sure. I think it's a mistake to say, hey, guys, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-would-have-handled-it-differently-than-the-mayor-of-baltimore-that/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [We have to think before we act.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/we-have-to-think-before-we-act/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [I would introduce and support legislation to send Roe v. Wade back to the states.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-would-introduce-and-support-legislation-to-send-roe-v-wade-back-to/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [President Obama, I think, wanted what was best for the country, but I think it didn't work well. I think we have the death…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/president-obama-i-think-wanted-what-was-best-for-the-country-but-i/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [I think it's a mistake to downgrade and say surveillance is no big deal. It is a huge deal that we are collecting millions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-think-it-s-a-mistake-to-downgrade-and-say-surveillance-is-no-big/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [We need a revival in the country,” Paul said. “We need another Great Awakening with tent revivals of thousands of people saying, 'reform or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/we-need-a-revival-in-the-country-paul-said-we-need-another-great/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [We do not project power from bankruptcy court. We're borrowing a million dollars a minute.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/we-do-not-project-power-from-bankruptcy-court-we-re-borrowing-a/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [I can use most of the tools that every American teenager can master. Maybe not all of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-can-use-most-of-the-tools-that-every-american-teenager-can-master/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) [Explore all 449 Rand Paul quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) ## More Bipartisanship quotes > [The American spirit wears no political label. In service to others and yes, in sacrifice for our country, there are no Republicans; there are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-american-spirit-wears-no-political-label-in-service-to-others-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“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/) > [This country cannot afford to tear itself apart on a partisan basis on issues so vital to our national security.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-a-kissinger/this-country-cannot-afford-to-tear-itself-apart-on-a-partisan-basis/) [Henry A. Kissinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-a-kissinger/) > [Public officials insult our intelligence and our goodwill when they paint rosy pictures about budgets, jobs, bipartisanship, and transparency, and alter their positions on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/public-officials-insult-our-intelligence-and-our-goodwill-when-they/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you're a progressive, you can find lots of people who call themselves conservatives, but who agree with you on lots of things. There…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-lakoff/if-you-re-a-progressive-you-can-find-lots-of-people-who-call/) [George Lakoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-lakoff/) > [Bipartisanship is nice, but it cannot be a substitute for action, not having it cannot prevent us from going forward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-pelosi/bipartisanship-is-nice-but-it-cannot-be-a-substitute-for-action-not/) [Nancy Pelosi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-pelosi/) > [I think one of the first steps - and I'm glad we were able to reach, again, a bipartisan agreement - is an accountability…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-miller/i-think-one-of-the-first-steps-and-i-m-glad-we-were-able-to-reach/) [Jeff Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-miller/) > [First, we must continually reaffirm the principle that the security of the United States is not, and should never be, a partisan matter. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-cohen/first-we-must-continually-reaffirm-the-principle-that-the-security-of/) [William Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-cohen/) > [Bipartisanship helps to avoid extremes and imbalances. It causes compromises and accommodations. So let's cooperate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zbigniew-brzezinski/bipartisanship-helps-to-avoid-extremes-and-imbalances-it-causes/) [Zbigniew Brzezinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zbigniew-brzezinski/) > [Bipartisanship isn't an option anymore; it is a requirement. The American people have divided responsibility for leadership right down the middle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-daschle/bipartisanship-isn-t-an-option-anymore-it-is-a-requirement-the/) [Tom Daschle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-daschle/) > [“There are not enough purple states. No one votes in primaries, except the most ideological. And big money comes in to support or oppose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-bayh/there-are-not-enough-purple-states-no-one-votes-in-primaries-except/) [Evan Bayh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-bayh/) > [Above all else stands the burning question of bipartisanship. Whatever else the politicians might say they're about, our news analysts know that this is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-frank/above-all-else-stands-the-burning-question-of-bipartisanship-whatever/) [Thomas Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-frank/) > [I understand that one of the purposes of bipartisanship is to cram something difficult and necessary down the American people's gullets for which neither…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-wolcott/i-understand-that-one-of-the-purposes-of-bipartisanship-is-to-cram/) [James Wolcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-wolcott/) > [The best way to begin genuine bipartisanship to make America stronger is to work together on the real crises facing our country, not to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kerry/the-best-way-to-begin-genuine-bipartisanship-to-make-america-stronger/) [John F. Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kerry/) > [Our predecessors understood that the ties that bind America are far stronger than disagreements over any particular policy and far more durable and profound…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-albright/our-predecessors-understood-that-the-ties-that-bind-america-are-far/) [Madeleine Albright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-albright/) [Browse all 57 Bipartisanship quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bipartisanship/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Bipartisanship is not what is missing in Washington. 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