---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I have withdrawn from partisan politics…"
description: "\"I have withdrawn from partisan politics. I am a constitutionalist who believes that the Constitution and the Bill of Rights must be central and the par..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8db/richard-dreyfuss-11788_am_i-have-withdrawn-from-partisan-politics_1460830.jpg"
---

#  I have withdrawn from partisan politics. I am a…

![“I have withdrawn from partisan politics. I am a constitutionalist who believes that the Constitution and the Bill of Rights must be central and the parties must be peripheral.” quote by Richard Dreyfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8db/richard-dreyfuss-11788_am_i-have-withdrawn-from-partisan-politics_1460830.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8db/richard-dreyfuss-11788_am_i-have-withdrawn-from-partisan-politics_1460830.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8db/richard-dreyfuss-11788_am_i-have-withdrawn-from-partisan-politics_1460830.jpg)

> “I have withdrawn from partisan politics. I am a constitutionalist who believes that the Constitution and the Bill of Rights must be central and the parties must be peripheral.”

[Richard Dreyfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dreyfuss/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Advocates focusing on constitutional principles over party allegiance, viewing parties as secondary to foundational rights.

**In simple terms:** Prioritize the Constitution, not party politics.

Key Takeaway

Embrace constitutionalism, minimize partisan influence.

Themes

constitution politics principles

Mood

thoughtful serious

Type

political philosophical

When to use this quote

- legislative debates
- voter education
- policy advocacy

Key Concepts

civic duty rule of law

Questions to Reflect On

- How can citizens influence policy without party affiliation?
- What challenges arise when parties become peripheral?

A Different Perspective

Partisan dynamics often shape practical politics.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Bill of rights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bill-of-rights/) [Constitution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constitution/) [Partisan politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/partisan-politics/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Rights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rights/)

## Related quotes

> [I am more of a constitutionalist libertarian.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-bilzerian/i-am-more-of-a-constitutionalist-libertarian/)

[Dan Bilzerian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-bilzerian/)

> [I am a constitutionalist. I believe in the constitution. I don't believe in altering the constitution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-breitbart/i-am-a-constitutionalist-i-believe-in-the-constitution-i-don-t/)

[Andrew Breitbart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-breitbart/)

> [It's great to be with you gun-toting, 10ther, pro-life, Austrian-economics, home-schooling, redoubt-living, Constitutionalist patriots this evening. I think that covers the SPLC's list.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-shea/it-s-great-to-be-with-you-gun-toting-10ther-pro-life-austrian/)

[Matt Shea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-shea/)

> [I'm a constitutionalist. You know, does faith matter to me? Sure. But the beauty of the Constitution, the beauty of the First Amendment, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/i-m-a-constitutionalist-you-know-does-faith-matter-to-me-sure-but-the/)

[Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/)

> [The military is very constitutionalist, and I have my faith in them and in the cooler heads of the people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-macapagal-arroyo/the-military-is-very-constitutionalist-and-i-have-my-faith-in-them/)

[Gloria Macapagal Arroyo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-macapagal-arroyo/)

> [You've got to protect the system of secular faith in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights and Enlightenment values. That way, you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dreyfuss/you-ve-got-to-protect-the-system-of-secular-faith-in-the-constitution/)

[Richard Dreyfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dreyfuss/)

> [I think the Senate ought to realize that I have to have about me those in whom I have confidence; and unless they find…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/i-think-the-senate-ought-to-realize-that-i-have-to-have-about-me/)

[Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/)

> [To be locked into partisan politics doesn't permit you to think clearly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudy-giuliani/to-be-locked-into-partisan-politics-doesn-t-permit-you-to-think/)

[Rudy Giuliani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudy-giuliani/)

> [“House Speaker Nancy Pelosi invited me to breakfast on the eighteenth. Five days before, she had issued a news release saying, “The president’s strategy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-gates/house-speaker-nancy-pelosi-invited-me-to-breakfast-on-the-eighteenth/)

[Robert M. Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-gates/)

> [I have never been driven by partisan politics, only a desire to better the lives of my constituents.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-van-drew/i-have-never-been-driven-by-partisan-politics-only-a-desire-to-better/)

[Jeff Van Drew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-van-drew/)

> [Speeches in our culture are the vacuum that fills a vacuum.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kenneth-galbraith/speeches-in-our-culture-are-the-vacuum-that-fills-a-vacuum/)

[John Kenneth Galbraith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kenneth-galbraith/)

> [The people in Iowa know that Washington isn't working. It's devolved into partisan politics and a lot of gridlock and obstruction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patty-judge/the-people-in-iowa-know-that-washington-isn-t-working-it-s-devolved/)

[Patty Judge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patty-judge/)

> [When it comes to partisan politics, everyone is a hypocrite. And all they care about is whether it hurts or helps them ... Is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-dershowitz/when-it-comes-to-partisan-politics-everyone-is-a-hypocrite-and-all/)

[Alan Dershowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-dershowitz/)

> [First, I think more Americans need to declare their independence from partisan politics on both sides. The more that Americans declare their independence, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-avlon/first-i-think-more-americans-need-to-declare-their-independence-from/)

[John Avlon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-avlon/)

> [Partisan politics has no place in the classroom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juan-cole/partisan-politics-has-no-place-in-the-classroom/)

[Juan Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juan-cole/)

## More by Richard Dreyfuss

> [Trump is an intemperate, mean-spirited, lying bully. If a man like that asked you for permission to marry your daughter, what would your answer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dreyfuss/trump-is-an-intemperate-mean-spirited-lying-bully-if-a-man-like-that/)

[Richard Dreyfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dreyfuss/)

> [Television is hypnotic, and it hides among the furniture of your living room. It doesn't reveal itself, but it distorts everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dreyfuss/television-is-hypnotic-and-it-hides-among-the-furniture-of-your/)

[Richard Dreyfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dreyfuss/)

> [There is one solution to all of our problems: Teaching our kids clarity of thought and political representation in democracy. That's it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dreyfuss/there-is-one-solution-to-all-of-our-problems-teaching-our-kids/)

[Richard Dreyfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dreyfuss/)

> [We mistake politics for legislative debate. You can be passionate without being personal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dreyfuss/we-mistake-politics-for-legislative-debate-you-can-be-passionate/)

[Richard Dreyfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dreyfuss/)

> [Wake up and live. It's a fast world out there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dreyfuss/wake-up-and-live-it-s-a-fast-world-out-there/)

[Richard Dreyfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dreyfuss/)

> [I took the part in 'Mr. Holland's Opus' because no one had ever asked me to play 'a life' before. I get to age…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dreyfuss/i-took-the-part-in-mr-holland-s-opus-because-no-one-had-ever-asked-me/)

[Richard Dreyfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dreyfuss/)

> [I spoke so much about being a manic-depressive. I want to bring everyone back to my earliest memories of this companion of mine. Some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dreyfuss/i-spoke-so-much-about-being-a-manic-depressive-i-want-to-bring/)

[Richard Dreyfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dreyfuss/)

> [The happiest I ever been was when I was a struggling actor. I've had big houses and small houses. I always had work available…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dreyfuss/the-happiest-i-ever-been-was-when-i-was-a-struggling-actor-i-ve-had/)

[Richard Dreyfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dreyfuss/)

> [Happiness has a bad rap. People say it shouldn't be your goal in life. Oh, yes it should.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dreyfuss/happiness-has-a-bad-rap-people-say-it-shouldn-t-be-your-goal-in-life/)

[Richard Dreyfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dreyfuss/)

> [I said to my doctor, 'You gotta testme, there's something wrong with me that I would be behaving this way.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dreyfuss/i-said-to-my-doctor-you-gotta-testme-there-s-something-wrong-with-me/)

[Richard Dreyfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dreyfuss/)

> [We didn't get along, me and Bill Murray. But I've got to give it to him: I don't like him, but he makes me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dreyfuss/we-didn-t-get-along-me-and-bill-murray-but-i-ve-got-to-give-it-to-him/)

[Richard Dreyfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dreyfuss/)

> [Politics has become beyond acceptable when it comes to humanity. People are just frozen in falsehood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dreyfuss/politics-has-become-beyond-acceptable-when-it-comes-to-humanity/)

[Richard Dreyfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dreyfuss/)

> [To teach our kids how to run our country, before they are called upon to run our country . . . if we don't,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dreyfuss/to-teach-our-kids-how-to-run-our-country-before-they-are-called-upon/)

[Richard Dreyfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dreyfuss/)

> [I think I'm turning into a libertarian. I'm not part of the gaggle of Hollywood liberals. I gaggle for no one, and I'm not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dreyfuss/i-think-i-m-turning-into-a-libertarian-i-m-not-part-of-the-gaggle-of/)

[Richard Dreyfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dreyfuss/)

> [We need to get back to reasoning and thinking things through. The future generation is being brought up in greed and without a true…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dreyfuss/we-need-to-get-back-to-reasoning-and-thinking-things-through-the/)

[Richard Dreyfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dreyfuss/)

[Explore all 58 Richard Dreyfuss quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dreyfuss/)

## More Am quotes

> [I don't own designer clothes, or a sports car, or a huge house, but I am seeing the world, experiencing amazing things, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roz-savage/i-don-t-own-designer-clothes-or-a-sports-car-or-a-huge-house-but-i-am/)

[Roz Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roz-savage/)

> [I think I am against stereotype. Generally, Asian guys are more quiet - they study and have a good work ethic. Generally, I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-lee/i-think-i-am-against-stereotype-generally-asian-guys-are-more-quiet/)

[Bobby Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-lee/)

> [I am not a depressive person at all, but I reflect a lot on my life, and life in general, from the perspective of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/i-am-not-a-depressive-person-at-all-but-i-reflect-a-lot-on-my-life/)

[Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/)

> [Any incarnation of 'Batman' I am delighted to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-west/any-incarnation-of-batman-i-am-delighted-to-do/)

[Adam West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-west/)

> [I am tired of our characters being so incomplete. When do we ever save the day in a film? When does a Latino actor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esai-morales/i-am-tired-of-our-characters-being-so-incomplete-when-do-we-ever-save/)

[Esai Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esai-morales/)

> [I am confident when I take the penalty otherwise I would pass for somebody else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruno-fernandes/i-am-confident-when-i-take-the-penalty-otherwise-i-would-pass-for/)

[Bruno Fernandes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruno-fernandes/)

> [I am on sabbatical as of right now, been too busy to think of about my OWN needs as of late.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-diamond/i-am-on-sabbatical-as-of-right-now-been-too-busy-to-think-of-about-my/)

[Jim Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-diamond/)

> [I am strongly opposed to any form of amnesty, including, especially, executive amnesty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-scalise/i-am-strongly-opposed-to-any-form-of-amnesty-including-especially/)

[Steve Scalise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-scalise/)

> [I am no different from a lot of people. I am concerned for the future of my children and concerned for the future of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-barnes/i-am-no-different-from-a-lot-of-people-i-am-concerned-for-the-future/)

[John Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-barnes/)

> [I won't be managing the Mets. I am closing the door on managing the Mets and probably everybody else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-torre/i-won-t-be-managing-the-mets-i-am-closing-the-door-on-managing-the/)

[Joe Torre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-torre/)

> [I know who I am. I know what I represent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-cora/i-know-who-i-am-i-know-what-i-represent/)

[Alex Cora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-cora/)

> [I am fortunate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-westheimer/i-am-fortunate/)

[Ruth Westheimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-westheimer/)

> [I will support my party when they are right on an issue, but am not afraid to stand up to party bosses who are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darlene-senger/i-will-support-my-party-when-they-are-right-on-an-issue-but-am-not/)

Darlene Senger

> [Acting is what I do with who I am.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-walter/acting-is-what-i-do-with-who-i-am/)

[Harriet Walter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-walter/)

> [I am a big outliner. For my adult book, 'The Visibles,' I did not outline, and it took me two years to write because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-shepard/i-am-a-big-outliner-for-my-adult-book-the-visibles-i-did-not-outline/)

[Sara Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-shepard/)

Browse all 9,589 Am quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I have withdrawn from partisan politics. I am a constitutionalist who believes that the Constitution and the Bill of Rights must be central and the parties must be peripheral.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Richard Dreyfuss"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dreyfuss/i-have-withdrawn-from-partisan-politics-i-am-a-constitutionalist-who/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Am"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dreyfuss/i-have-withdrawn-from-partisan-politics-i-am-a-constitutionalist-who/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8db/richard-dreyfuss-11788_am_i-have-withdrawn-from-partisan-politics_1460830.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8db/richard-dreyfuss-11788_am_i-have-withdrawn-from-partisan-politics_1460830.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8db/richard-dreyfuss-11788_am_i-have-withdrawn-from-partisan-politics_1460830.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I have withdrawn from partisan politics. I am a constitutionalist who believes that the Constitution and the…” — Richard Dreyfuss",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Richard Dreyfuss",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dreyfuss/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I have withdrawn from partisan politics....",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dreyfuss/i-have-withdrawn-from-partisan-politics-i-am-a-constitutionalist-who/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dreyfuss/i-have-withdrawn-from-partisan-politics-i-am-a-constitutionalist-who/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
