--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think Democrats made a mistake running…" description: "\"I think Democrats made a mistake running away from liberalism. Liberalism, uh, Franklin Roosevelt, Harry Truman, John and Robert Kennedy - that's what ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ca/theodore-c-sorensen-22160_democracy_i-think-democrats-made-a-mistake-running_2548924.png" --- # I think Democrats made a mistake running away from… ![“I think Democrats made a mistake running away from liberalism. Liberalism, uh, Franklin Roosevelt, Harry Truman, John and Robert Kennedy - that's what the Democratic party ought to reach for.” quote by Theodore C. Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ca/theodore-c-sorensen-22160_democracy_i-think-democrats-made-a-mistake-running_2548924.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ca/theodore-c-sorensen-22160_democracy_i-think-democrats-made-a-mistake-running_2548924.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ca/theodore-c-sorensen-22160_democracy_i-think-democrats-made-a-mistake-running_2548924.png) > “I think Democrats made a mistake running away from liberalism. Liberalism, uh, Franklin Roosevelt, Harry Truman, John and Robert Kennedy - that's what the Democratic party ought to reach for.” [Theodore C. Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-c-sorensen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The party should return to classic liberal values championed by historic leaders. **In simple terms:** Democrats should embrace liberalism. Key Takeaway Re‑embrace foundational liberal principles. Themes politics history ideology Mood analytical hopeful Type political historical When to use this quote - policy development - campaign messaging - voter outreach Key Concepts liberalism progressive governance Questions to Reflect On - Which liberal principles are most relevant today? - How can the party reconcile past ideals with current challenges? A Different Perspective Modern politics may have shifted beyond those ideals. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Democratic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democratic/) [Democratic party](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democratic-party/) [Democrats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democrats/) [Democrats Mistake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democrats-mistake-1502901/) [Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) [Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/franklin/) [Liberalism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberalism/) [Made](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/made/) [Mistake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mistake/) [Ought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ought/) [Party](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/party/) [Party Ought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/party-ought-1502902/) [Robert Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/robert-kennedy/) [Running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running/) [Running away](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running-away/) [Think Democrats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-democrats-369389/) [Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truman/) ## Related quotes > [The people I really most admire are Robert Kennedy and Franklin Roosevelt. If you know someone, it is very hard to revere them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-livingstone/the-people-i-really-most-admire-are-robert-kennedy-and-franklin/) [Ken Livingstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-livingstone/) > [A decision as a backbencher to vote against one's party ought not to be taken lightly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dominic-grieve/a-decision-as-a-backbencher-to-vote-against-one-s-party-ought-not-to/) [Dominic Grieve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dominic-grieve/) > [“If a man gives a party, he ought to know what kind of party it is,' argued the Viscount. 'If you don't know, how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georgette-heyer/if-a-man-gives-a-party-he-ought-to-know-what-kind-of-party-it-is/) [Georgette Heyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georgette-heyer/) > [“No political party can or ought to exist when one of its corner-stones is opposition to freedom of thought and to the right to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/no-political-party-can-or-ought-to-exist-when-one-of-its-corner/) [Ulysses S. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/) > [If Obama's vision of the public sector is socialism, then so too were the visions of Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-greenfield/if-obama-s-vision-of-the-public-sector-is-socialism-then-so-too-were/) [Jeff Greenfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-greenfield/) > [Franklin Roosevelt, Harry Truman, others, knew how to lead. They knew how to ask the American people for the right things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kerry/franklin-roosevelt-harry-truman-others-knew-how-to-lead-they-knew-how/) [John F. Kerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kerry/) > [I think the Democrats are catering to them, but, you know, in the entire history of the United States of America, there has never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-robertson/i-think-the-democrats-are-catering-to-them-but-you-know-in-the-entire/) [Pat Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-robertson/) > [I think the Democrats did a terrible disservice, the Hillary Clinton campaign did, to Tim Kaine. Tim Kaine had the earned reputation of being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/i-think-the-democrats-did-a-terrible-disservice-the-hillary-clinton/) [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) > [I think Democrats often hold the unconstrained vision, and Republicans focus more on the Rule of Law.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fund/i-think-democrats-often-hold-the-unconstrained-vision-and-republicans/) [John Fund](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fund/) > [When I was in office I expressed admiration and respect and even affection for Republicans that I knew and liked and cared about, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-clinton/when-i-was-in-office-i-expressed-admiration-and-respect-and-even/) [William J. Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-clinton/) > [I think that the Democrats can be successful nationally in the future if we are able to capture some of the complexity of people's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-think-that-the-democrats-can-be-successful-nationally-in-the-future/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [I think that Democrats have to think through answers we haven't in the past: How we are going to create those jobs? How should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neera-tanden/i-think-that-democrats-have-to-think-through-answers-we-haven-t-in/) [Neera Tanden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neera-tanden/) > [But I will say, I think there are some Democrats that don't want to address pension reform. I have taken on the issue of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonio-villaraigosa/but-i-will-say-i-think-there-are-some-democrats-that-don-t-want-to/) [Antonio Villaraigosa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonio-villaraigosa/) > [I think Democrats are right. We fight for the American dream, for the environment, for privacy rights, a woman's right to choose, a good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-boxer/i-think-democrats-are-right-we-fight-for-the-american-dream-for-the/) [Barbara Boxer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-boxer/) > [I think what Democrats need to do is they need to work for the country and make sure that not only the southern border…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-tester/i-think-what-democrats-need-to-do-is-they-need-to-work-for-the/) [Jon Tester](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-tester/) ## More by Theodore C. Sorensen > [If we can but tear the blindfold of self-deception from our eyes and loosen the gag of self-denial from our voices, we can restore…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-c-sorensen/if-we-can-but-tear-the-blindfold-of-self-deception-from-our-eyes-and/) [Theodore C. Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-c-sorensen/) > [I'm simply saying that there are advantages in sending a skilled diplomat who can always say, 'I'll get back to you on that, Mr.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-c-sorensen/i-m-simply-saying-that-there-are-advantages-in-sending-a-skilled/) [Theodore C. Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-c-sorensen/) > [We have convinced over one billlion members of the Islamic faith that we are prejudiced against their religion, that we would deny them freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-c-sorensen/we-have-convinced-over-one-billlion-members-of-the-islamic-faith-that/) [Theodore C. Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-c-sorensen/) > [Our surest protection against assault from abroad has been not all our guards, gates and guns, or even our two oceans, but our essential…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-c-sorensen/our-surest-protection-against-assault-from-abroad-has-been-not-all/) [Theodore C. Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-c-sorensen/) > [The ambassador was never present, but his presence was never absent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-c-sorensen/the-ambassador-was-never-present-but-his-presence-was-never-absent/) [Theodore C. Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-c-sorensen/) > [We need not renounce the use of conventional force. We will be ready to repel any clear and present danger that poses a genuine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-c-sorensen/we-need-not-renounce-the-use-of-conventional-force-we-will-be-ready/) [Theodore C. Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-c-sorensen/) > [Public opinion rarely considers the needs of the next generation or the history of the last. It is frequently hampered by myths and misinformation,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-c-sorensen/public-opinion-rarely-considers-the-needs-of-the-next-generation-or/) [Theodore C. Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-c-sorensen/) > [I came from Nebraska, a very middle class family with a progressive father.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-c-sorensen/i-came-from-nebraska-a-very-middle-class-family-with-a-progressive/) [Theodore C. Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-c-sorensen/) > [Number one, that it is smart to communicate and negotiate with your enemy instead of just waging war with bombs and weapons of mass…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-c-sorensen/number-one-that-it-is-smart-to-communicate-and-negotiate-with-your/) [Theodore C. Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-c-sorensen/) > [We will be safer from terrorist attack only when we have earned the respect of all other nations instead of their fear, respect for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-c-sorensen/we-will-be-safer-from-terrorist-attack-only-when-we-have-earned-the/) [Theodore C. Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-c-sorensen/) > [I believe in an America in which the fruits of productivity and prosperity are shared by all, by workers as well as owners, by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-c-sorensen/i-believe-in-an-america-in-which-the-fruits-of-productivity-and/) [Theodore C. Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-c-sorensen/) > [With the help of dedicated Americans from our party, every party, and no party at all, I intend to mount that stairway to preach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-c-sorensen/with-the-help-of-dedicated-americans-from-our-party-every-party-and/) [Theodore C. Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-c-sorensen/) > [Al Gore is not just whistling in the wind. Global warming is for real. Every scientist knows that now, and we are on our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-c-sorensen/al-gore-is-not-just-whistling-in-the-wind-global-warming-is-for-real/) [Theodore C. Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-c-sorensen/) > [We will always apply the same principles of collective security, prudent caution, and superior weaponry that enabled us to peacefully prevail in the long…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-c-sorensen/we-will-always-apply-the-same-principles-of-collective-security/) [Theodore C. Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-c-sorensen/) > [Now people all across America are starting to believe in America again. We are coming back, back to the heights of greatness, back to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-c-sorensen/now-people-all-across-america-are-starting-to-believe-in-america/) [Theodore C. Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-c-sorensen/) [Explore all 28 Theodore C. Sorensen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-c-sorensen/) ## More Democracy quotes > [Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/elections-belong-to-the-people-it-s-their-decision-if-they-decide-to/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [If the members of parliament no longer consider themselves mandatories of the taxpayers but deputies of those receiving salaries, wages, subsidies, doles, and other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-von-mises/if-the-members-of-parliament-no-longer-consider-themselves/) [Ludwig von Mises](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-von-mises/) > [For not only every democracy, but certainly every republic, bears within itself the seeds of its own destruction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/for-not-only-every-democracy-but-certainly-every-republic-bears/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [America is a democracy and has no Hitler, but I am afraid for her future; there are hard times ahead for the American people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/america-is-a-democracy-and-has-no-hitler-but-i-am-afraid-for-her/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [There is plenty of time for Republicans to have a Macaca moment. But right now, as of October 17, 2014, the Republican Senate candidates…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-continetti/there-is-plenty-of-time-for-republicans-to-have-a-macaca-moment-but/) [Matthew Continetti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-continetti/) > [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [ Vote for Donald Trump. You're going to see something and you'll be so happy, you'll be so thrilled. This \[presidential\] election is about every… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/vote-for-donald-trump-you-re-going-to-see-something-and-you-ll-be-so/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [The peaceful transition of power is one of the hallmarks of our democracy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/the-peaceful-transition-of-power-is-one-of-the-hallmarks-of-our/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [The Republicans do not look on the Democrats as the evil empire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-safire/the-republicans-do-not-look-on-the-democrats-as-the-evil-empire/) [William Safire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-safire/) > [If you believe in democracy, why shouldn't you know what the government is doing?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/if-you-believe-in-democracy-why-shouldn-t-you-know-what-the/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Failure to find a way to incorporate political Islam in democracy, however uncomfortable its ideology is for secular liberals, will mean we have given…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/crispin-blunt/failure-to-find-a-way-to-incorporate-political-islam-in-democracy/) [Crispin Blunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/crispin-blunt/) > [In a democratic nation, power must be linked with responsibility, and obliged to defend and justify itself within the framework of the general good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/in-a-democratic-nation-power-must-be-linked-with-responsibility-and/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [There are certain things you must not say in spite of the fact that supposedly democracy means free speech. No. You are not allowed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-eubank-sr/there-are-certain-things-you-must-not-say-in-spite-of-the-fact-that/) [Chris Eubank Sr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-eubank-sr/) > [“All voting is a sort of gaming, like checkers or back gammon, with a slight moral tinge to it, a playing with right and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/all-voting-is-a-sort-of-gaming-like-checkers-or-back-gammon-with-a/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) [Browse all 11,220 Democracy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I think Democrats made a mistake running away from liberalism. Liberalism, uh, Franklin Roosevelt, Harry Truman, John and Robert Kennedy - that's what the Democratic party ought to reach for.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Theodore C. Sorensen" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-c-sorensen/i-think-democrats-made-a-mistake-running-away-from-liberalism/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Democracy" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-c-sorensen/i-think-democrats-made-a-mistake-running-away-from-liberalism/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ca/theodore-c-sorensen-22160_democracy_i-think-democrats-made-a-mistake-running_2548924.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ca/theodore-c-sorensen-22160_democracy_i-think-democrats-made-a-mistake-running_2548924.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ca/theodore-c-sorensen-22160_democracy_i-think-democrats-made-a-mistake-running_2548924.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I think Democrats made a mistake running away from liberalism. Liberalism, uh, Franklin Roosevelt, Harry…” — Theodore C. Sorensen", "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": "Theodore C. Sorensen", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-c-sorensen/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I think Democrats made a mistake...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-c-sorensen/i-think-democrats-made-a-mistake-running-away-from-liberalism/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-c-sorensen/i-think-democrats-made-a-mistake-running-away-from-liberalism/#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 } } ] } ```