--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: One thing Republicans understand: In…" description: "\"One thing Republicans understand: In American elections, you have to choose from among only two people - not between the perfect and the good.\" — Rick ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d54/rick-perlstein-3637_american_one-thing-republicans-understand-in-amer_450929.png" --- # One thing Republicans understand: In American elections… ![“One thing Republicans understand: In American elections, you have to choose from among only two people - not between the perfect and the good.” quote by Rick Perlstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d54/rick-perlstein-3637_american_one-thing-republicans-understand-in-amer_450929.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d54/rick-perlstein-3637_american_one-thing-republicans-understand-in-amer_450929.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d54/rick-perlstein-3637_american_one-thing-republicans-understand-in-amer_450929.png) > “One thing Republicans understand: In American elections, you have to choose from among only two people - not between the perfect and the good.” [Rick Perlstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-perlstein/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Republicans often settle for the lesser of two imperfect choices, rejecting the ideal for practicality. **In simple terms:** Choosing the good over the perfect is common in elections. Key Takeaway Accept pragmatic options while seeking improvement. Themes politics choice pragmatism Mood analytical critical Type political philosophical When to use this quote - election strategy - policy debates - campaign messaging Key Concepts two‑party system voter behavior Questions to Reflect On - Is it better to vote for a good candidate or wait for a perfect one? - How can voters influence party platforms? A Different Perspective Idealism can be dismissed as unrealistic. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [American elections](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-elections/) [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Elections](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/elections/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Republicans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/republicans/) ## Related quotes > [The thing about Republicans is that they don't care so much about respect, but they love fear, at least in others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-smiley/the-thing-about-republicans-is-that-they-don-t-care-so-much-about/) [Jane Smiley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-smiley/) > [Mitt Romney has a fund-raiser. He's going to get in the ring and fight Evander Holyfield. 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