Candidate Quote by Theodore H. White
““The first and most essential quality of a presidential candidate, as Averell Harriman once pointed out, is that he should lust for the job - he should want it more than all things, with a passion surpassing all emotion and probably even all principle.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview with Theodore H. White, 1960s
A presidential candidate must desire the office more than anything, driven by intense passion that outweighs emotion and principle.
In simple terms: Candidates need overwhelming desire for the role.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate deep passion for leadership.
Themes
politics
ambition
leadership
Mood
determined
intense
Type
political
motivational
When to use this quote
- campaigns
- career decisions
- public service
- personal ambition
Key Concepts
motivation
ethical tension
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you prioritize desire over principle?
- How can passion be balanced with ethics?
A Different Perspective
Passion may blind ethical judgment.
