Elected Quote by Raymond Chandler
““Sheriff Petersen just went right on getting re-elected, a living testimonial to the fact that you can hold an important public office forever in our country with no qualifications for it but a clean nose, a photogenic face and a close mouth. If on top of that you look good on a horse, you are unbeatable.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Big Sleep, 1939
Political power can be retained indefinitely through superficial traits like appearance and charisma, despite lack of qualifications.
In simple terms: Power persists via image, not competence.
Key Takeaway
Critically assess leaders based on substance over style.
Themes
politics
image
power
qualifications
media
charisma
Mood
cynical
critical
analytical
Type
political
satirical
observational
When to use this quote
- election campaigns
- public office
- media analysis
- civic education
Key Concepts
superficial qualifications
public perception
political satire
media influence
Questions to Reflect On
- How does image affect voter decisions?
- What mechanisms can ensure competence in public office?
A Different Perspective
Overlooks systemic factors that enable unqualified leaders.
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![“He [James Cain] is every kind of writer I detest...a Proust in greasy overalls, a dirty little boy with a piece of chalk and a board fence and nobody looking.” quote by Raymond Chandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/614/raymond-chandler-629_cain_he-james-cain-is-every-kind-of-writer-i_41185.jpg)
