--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I've had opportunities before to run for…" description: "\"I've had opportunities before to run for office - the Republicans recruited me when I was surgeon general, to run for Congress, to run against Gov. Nap..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e8/richard-carmona-17754_against_i-ve-had-opportunities-before-to-run-for_2061334.jpg" --- # I've had opportunities before to run for office - the… ![“I've had opportunities before to run for office - the Republicans recruited me when I was surgeon general, to run for Congress, to run against Gov. Napolitano. But I didn't feel it was my calling... I felt, 'Well, I'm flattered, but I really would rather stay and be the doctor of the nation and…” quote by Richard Carmona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e8/richard-carmona-17754_against_i-ve-had-opportunities-before-to-run-for_2061334.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e8/richard-carmona-17754_against_i-ve-had-opportunities-before-to-run-for_2061334.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e8/richard-carmona-17754_against_i-ve-had-opportunities-before-to-run-for_2061334.jpg) > “I've had opportunities before to run for office - the Republicans recruited me when I was surgeon general, to run for Congress, to run against Gov. Napolitano. But I didn't feel it was my calling... I felt, 'Well, I'm flattered, but I really would rather stay and be the doctor of the nation and stay as surgeon general.'” [Richard Carmona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-carmona/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He chose a medical career over political ambition, valuing personal calling over external offers. **In simple terms:** He preferred being a doctor to a politician. Key Takeaway Follow your true vocation. Themes career choice service identity politics personal values Mood reflective determined Type advice personal narrative When to use this quote - medical practice - public service - political candidacy Key Concepts public health leadership ethical decision-making Questions to Reflect On - What defines your true calling? - How do you balance personal values with external expectations? A Different Perspective Choosing a role may limit broader influence. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Congress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/congress/) [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Doctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doctor/) [Doctors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doctors/) [Nation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nation/) [Nations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nations/) [Office](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/office/) [Opportunities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opportunities/) [Opportunity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opportunity/) [Republican](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/republican/) [Republicans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/republicans/) [Running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running/) [Surgeons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/surgeons/) ## Related quotes > [Surgeon general's job is to protect, promote and advance the health, safety and security of the nation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-carmona/surgeon-general-s-job-is-to-protect-promote-and-advance-the-health/) [Richard Carmona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-carmona/) > [I really think the most important thing I do is to protect the dignity and the integrity of the Office of the Surgeon General.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-carmona/i-really-think-the-most-important-thing-i-do-is-to-protect-the/) [Richard Carmona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-carmona/) > [A grateful world, nation and cadre of surgeons general who followed in his shadow are forever indebted to Surgeon General Koop's wisdom, fortitude, integrity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-carmona/a-grateful-world-nation-and-cadre-of-surgeons-general-who-followed-in/) [Richard Carmona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-carmona/) > [C. Everett 'Chic' Koop became U.S. Surgeon General under President Reagan. He was a world renowned pediatric surgeon who had a tumultuous Senate confirmation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-carmona/c-everett-chic-koop-became-u-s-surgeon-general-under-president-reagan/) [Richard Carmona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-carmona/) > [When I came home after my statutory term as surgeon general, I just resumed my life here in southern Arizona. Teaching at the university;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-carmona/when-i-came-home-after-my-statutory-term-as-surgeon-general-i-just/) [Richard Carmona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-carmona/) > [The overarching issue, really, is our surgeon general should be able to communicate transparently and honestly with the American public on all issues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-carmona/the-overarching-issue-really-is-our-surgeon-general-should-be-able-to/) [Richard Carmona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-carmona/) > [As 17th U.S. Surgeon General, I was privileged to serve as the nation's doctor. I focused much of my time on promoting proven programs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-carmona/as-17th-u-s-surgeon-general-i-was-privileged-to-serve-as-the-nation-s/) [Richard Carmona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-carmona/) > [When I began my tenure as surgeon general, I did not intend to focus on emotional well-being.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vivek-murthy/when-i-began-my-tenure-as-surgeon-general-i-did-not-intend-to-focus/) [Vivek Murthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vivek-murthy/) > [A lot of people have misconceptions about what the surgeon general does.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vivek-murthy/a-lot-of-people-have-misconceptions-about-what-the-surgeon-general/) [Vivek Murthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vivek-murthy/) > [By the way, what happened to our surgeon general who warned us about AIDS and smoking? That position has been completely stripped of power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-david/by-the-way-what-happened-to-our-surgeon-general-who-warned-us-about/) [Laurie David](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-david/) > [When I went through my confirmation hearing to serve as surgeon general they asked me what my priorities would be and I didn't list…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vivek-murthy/when-i-went-through-my-confirmation-hearing-to-serve-as-surgeon/) [Vivek Murthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vivek-murthy/) > [I do not intend to use the Surgeon General's Office as a bully pulpit for gun control.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vivek-murthy/i-do-not-intend-to-use-the-surgeon-general-s-office-as-a-bully-pulpit/) [Vivek Murthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vivek-murthy/) > [I think people align themselves with my way of thinking when they're talking to me. They try to create new avenues for me to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/myron-rolle/i-think-people-align-themselves-with-my-way-of-thinking-when-they-re/) [Myron Rolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/myron-rolle/) > [Well, the responsibility of the surgeon general is to make sure that the public has access to science and access to it in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vivek-murthy/well-the-responsibility-of-the-surgeon-general-is-to-make-sure-that/) [Vivek Murthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vivek-murthy/) > [Well, we're just a couple of weeks from new President Barack Obama being sworn in. And he's been very busy naming a lot of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-letterman/well-we-re-just-a-couple-of-weeks-from-new-president-barack-obama/) [David Letterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-letterman/) ## More by Richard Carmona > [I grew up in Harlem. My grandmother was one of the best cooks around, but the first thing she did on Sunday mornings when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-carmona/i-grew-up-in-harlem-my-grandmother-was-one-of-the-best-cooks-around/) [Richard Carmona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-carmona/) > [In honor of Surgeon General Koop's legacy, we should ensure that the position of surgeon general is protected from political interference, funded appropriately and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-carmona/in-honor-of-surgeon-general-koop-s-legacy-we-should-ensure-that-the/) [Richard Carmona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-carmona/) > [Whenever I've had to make a major decision as a doctor, cop or for a company I've worked for, I ask myself: What is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-carmona/whenever-i-ve-had-to-make-a-major-decision-as-a-doctor-cop-or-for-a/) [Richard Carmona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-carmona/) > [Do any of us actually want to live in a world where your boss can decide that he or she is morally opposed to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-carmona/do-any-of-us-actually-want-to-live-in-a-world-where-your-boss-can/) [Richard Carmona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-carmona/) > [Overweight and obesity is the second leading cause of death, killing 300,000 people a year, There is not a miracle pill that will lead…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-carmona/overweight-and-obesity-is-the-second-leading-cause-of-death-killing/) [Richard Carmona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-carmona/) > [As 17th U.S. Surgeon General, I was privileged to serve as the nation's doctor. I focused much of my time on promoting proven programs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-carmona/as-17th-u-s-surgeon-general-i-was-privileged-to-serve-as-the-nation-s/) [Richard Carmona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-carmona/) > [As a father, physician and nurse, I have a special place in my heart for children, and I know the brief window of opportunity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-carmona/as-a-father-physician-and-nurse-i-have-a-special-place-in-my-heart/) [Richard Carmona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-carmona/) > [I see good ideas on the Republican side as well as the Democratic side. You have to return civility and statesmanship to governance. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-carmona/i-see-good-ideas-on-the-republican-side-as-well-as-the-democratic/) [Richard Carmona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-carmona/) > [In 1967, I signed up for the Army, where I earned an equivalency diploma, then went on to join the Special Forces. That was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-carmona/in-1967-i-signed-up-for-the-army-where-i-earned-an-equivalency/) [Richard Carmona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-carmona/) > [The reason I'm disabled is because I have wounds and injuries that I got while on active duty ... from parachute jumping to combat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-carmona/the-reason-i-m-disabled-is-because-i-have-wounds-and-injuries-that-i/) [Richard Carmona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-carmona/) > [Actions, such as the designation of National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, spring from First Lady Michelle Obama's leadership of efforts to end childhood obesity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-carmona/actions-such-as-the-designation-of-national-childhood-obesity/) [Richard Carmona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-carmona/) > [The overarching issue, really, is our surgeon general should be able to communicate transparently and honestly with the American public on all issues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-carmona/the-overarching-issue-really-is-our-surgeon-general-should-be-able-to/) [Richard Carmona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-carmona/) > [My mom used to tell me that the most valuable thing she owned was her library card. We were poor, but that's not what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-carmona/my-mom-used-to-tell-me-that-the-most-valuable-thing-she-owned-was-her/) [Richard Carmona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-carmona/) > [When I came home after my statutory term as surgeon general, I just resumed my life here in southern Arizona. 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