--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I could think of no worse example for…" description: "\"I could think of no worse example for nations abroad, who for the first time were trying to put free electoral procedures into effect, than that of the..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b82/thomas-jefferson-43_america_i-could-think-of-no-worse-example-for-na_778891.jpg" --- # I could think of no worse example for nations abroad, who… ![“I could think of no worse example for nations abroad, who for the first time were trying to put free electoral procedures into effect, than that of the United States wrangling over the results of our presidential election, and even suggesting that the presidency itself could be stolen by thievery…” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b82/thomas-jefferson-43_america_i-could-think-of-no-worse-example-for-na_778891.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b82/thomas-jefferson-43_america_i-could-think-of-no-worse-example-for-na_778891.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b82/thomas-jefferson-43_america_i-could-think-of-no-worse-example-for-na_778891.jpg) > “I could think of no worse example for nations abroad, who for the first time were trying to put free electoral procedures into effect, than that of the United States wrangling over the results of our presidential election, and even suggesting that the presidency itself could be stolen by thievery at the ballot box.” [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Criticizes U.S. electoral disputes as a negative example for other nations attempting democratic reforms. **In simple terms:** U.S. election issues reflect poorly abroad. Key Takeaway Recognize the impact of domestic politics on global perception. Themes democracy politics international perception electoral integrity Mood critical concerned Type political analytical When to use this quote - foreign policy analysis - media commentary - educational discussion Key Concepts political theory comparative politics Questions to Reflect On - How do internal political crises affect a nation's soft power? - What reforms could improve electoral confidence? A Different Perspective Domestic electoral challenges can undermine credibility abroad. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [America](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) [Ballots](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ballots/) [Election](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/election/) [Nations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nations/) [Presidency](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/presidency/) [Presidential election](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/presidential-election/) [Thievery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thievery/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [United states](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/united-states/) [Wrangling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wrangling/) ## Related quotes > [The free electoral process is one of the things that outsiders envy most about this country. The distinctly American two-party system is perpetuated through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-agresta/the-free-electoral-process-is-one-of-the-things-that-outsiders-envy/) Robert A. Agresta > [“I hate it when people insist on wrangling with you about something, then try to stop as soon as they see the arguments are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-fine/i-hate-it-when-people-insist-on-wrangling-with-you-about-something/) [Anne Fine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-fine/) > [I am weary of your quarrels, Weary of your wars and bloodshed, Weary of your prayers for vengeance, Of your wranglings and dissensions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/i-am-weary-of-your-quarrels-weary-of-your-wars-and-bloodshed-weary-of/) [Henry Wadsworth Longfellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/) > [Spend enough time wrangling a toddler, and you get good at being kind but firm. Like your child, you must be doggedly single-minded when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/celeste-ng/spend-enough-time-wrangling-a-toddler-and-you-get-good-at-being-kind/) [Celeste Ng](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/celeste-ng/) > [Not a place upon earth might be so happy as America. Her situation is remote from all the wrangling world, and she has nothing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/not-a-place-upon-earth-might-be-so-happy-as-america-her-situation-is/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [ A lot of Americans have some view of the Constitution as just this thing that was handed down \[intact\]. But it really was the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-vaughan/a-lot-of-americans-have-some-view-of-the-constitution-as-just-this/) [Bill Vaughan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-vaughan/) > [My days are spent wrangling children, chipping dried manure from boots, washing jeans, and frying calf nuts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ree-drummond/my-days-are-spent-wrangling-children-chipping-dried-manure-from-boots/) [Ree Drummond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ree-drummond/) > [As far as the legal hassling and wrangling and posturing in Florida, I would suggest you talk to our team in Florida led by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/as-far-as-the-legal-hassling-and-wrangling-and-posturing-in-florida-i/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [Let a thousand wrangling desires become one Love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/let-a-thousand-wrangling-desires-become-one-love/) [Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) > [As marriage produces children, so children produce care and disputes; and wrangling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-wortley-montagu/as-marriage-produces-children-so-children-produce-care-and-disputes/) [Mary Wortley Montagu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-wortley-montagu/) > [Winnowing is more like a trip to the confessional...transparent & vulnerable without being sentimental. These songs have elements that are more like prayers &…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-mallonee/winnowing-is-more-like-a-trip-to-the-confessional-transparent/) Bill Mallonee > [I am used to wrangling crocodiles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bindi-irwin/i-am-used-to-wrangling-crocodiles/) [Bindi Irwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bindi-irwin/) > [ There's so much going on in Andrei \[Bolkonsky\]. He's wrangling with these big existential conundrums, and he tries out different routes to fulfillment. He… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-norton/there-s-so-much-going-on-in-andrei-bolkonsky-he-s-wrangling-with/) [James Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-norton/) > [Regarding the idea of race, .. no agreement seems to exist about what race means. Race seems to embody a fact as simple and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-barzun/regarding-the-idea-of-race-no-agreement-seems-to-exist-about-what/) [Jacques Barzun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-barzun/) > [I do a little bit of minimal brow wrangling myself. I get the strays out of the way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-connelly/i-do-a-little-bit-of-minimal-brow-wrangling-myself-i-get-the-strays/) [Jennifer Connelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-connelly/) ## More by Thomas Jefferson > [A man has a right to use a saw, an axe, a plane, separately; may he not combine their uses on the same piece…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/a-man-has-a-right-to-use-a-saw-an-axe-a-plane-separately-may-he-not/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [ \[States and the Federal government are\] coordinate departments of one simple and integral whole... The one is the domestic, the other the foreign branch… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/states-and-the-federal-government-are-coordinate-departments-of-one/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [I am for freedom of religion, and against all maneuvers to bring about a legal ascendency of one sect over another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-am-for-freedom-of-religion-and-against-all-maneuvers-to-bring-about/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Single acts of tyranny may be ascribed to the accidental opinion of a day; but a series of oppressions, begun at a distinguished period…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/single-acts-of-tyranny-may-be-ascribed-to-the-accidental-opinion-of-a/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“Perceiving the order of nature to be that individual happiness shall be inseparable from the practice of virtue, I am willing to hope it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/perceiving-the-order-of-nature-to-be-that-individual-happiness-shall/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Free government is founded in jealousy, and not in confidence; it is jealousy, and not confidence, which prescribes limited constitutions, to bind down those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/free-government-is-founded-in-jealousy-and-not-in-confidence-it-is/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Though you cannot see, when you take one step, what will be the next, yet follow truth, justice, and plain dealing, and never fear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/though-you-cannot-see-when-you-take-one-step-what-will-be-the-next/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [A well informed citizenry is the best defense against tyranny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/a-well-informed-citizenry-is-the-best-defense-against-tyranny/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The two principles on which our conduct towards the Indians should be founded are justice and fear. After the injuries we have done them,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-two-principles-on-which-our-conduct-towards-the-indians-should-be/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Knowledge is power...knowled ge is safety...knowle dge is happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/knowledge-is-power-knowled-ge-is-safety-knowle-dge-is-happiness/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [There is... an artificial aristocracy founded on wealth and birth, without either virtue or talents... The artificial aristocracy is a mischievous ingredient in government,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/there-is-an-artificial-aristocracy-founded-on-wealth-and-birth/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Nothing but free argument, raillery and even ridicule will preserve the purity of religion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/nothing-but-free-argument-raillery-and-even-ridicule-will-preserve/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [When the people are afraid of the government, that's tyranny. But when the government is afraid of the people, that's liberty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/when-the-people-are-afraid-of-the-government-that-s-tyranny-but-when/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed, by their Creator, with certain unalienable Rights,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/we-hold-these-truths-to-be-self-evident-that-all-men-are-created/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) [Explore all 2,098 Thomas Jefferson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) ## More America quotes > [The costs of the Bush-Obama wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now estimated to run as high as $4.4 trillion - a major victory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-costs-of-the-bush-obama-wars-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-now/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/young-men-especially-in-america-write-to-me-and-ask-me-to-recommend-a/) [Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/) > [Well, The Day the Earth Caught Fire was a story... I don't if anybody knows what it is but it was about... in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-guest/well-the-day-the-earth-caught-fire-was-a-story-i-don-t-if-anybody/) [Val Guest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-guest/) > [So here's what I want you to know, and here's what I want all our men and women in uniform to know: Because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/so-here-s-what-i-want-you-to-know-and-here-s-what-i-want-all-our-men/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Today, the world looks to America for leadership. And America looks to its Corps of Marines.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/today-the-world-looks-to-america-for-leadership-and-america-looks-to/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [The image of blacks usually is one of people who are suffering from hunger, unemployment, and poverty. The idea of them as agents and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-lee-boggs/the-image-of-blacks-usually-is-one-of-people-who-are-suffering-from/) [Grace Lee Boggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-lee-boggs/) > [ I'll smoke, I'll cough, I'll get the tumors, I'll die, deal? Thank you America. \[salutes\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hicks/i-ll-smoke-i-ll-cough-i-ll-get-the-tumors-i-ll-die-deal-thank-you/) [Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hicks/) > [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/) > [I'm gonna bring America together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/i-m-gonna-bring-america-together/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [In the nineteenth century some parts of the world were unexplored, but there was almost no restriction on travel.:; Up to 1914 you did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/in-the-nineteenth-century-some-parts-of-the-world-were-unexplored-but/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [We need a system that serves our needs, not the needs of others. Remember, under a Trump administration it's called America first. Remember that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/we-need-a-system-that-serves-our-needs-not-the-needs-of-others/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [America, you're sending girls a mixed message. On one hand, you're saying to have positive body image and love who we are; on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adora-svitak/america-you-re-sending-girls-a-mixed-message-on-one-hand-you-re/) [Adora Svitak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adora-svitak/) > [You live overseas, you see these exotic places and you want to know about them. But, weirdly, it also made me homesick for all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-jennings/you-live-overseas-you-see-these-exotic-places-and-you-want-to-know/) [Ken Jennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-jennings/) > [Freedom in every sense but primarily political sense, a rise in repression that stems from a repression of sexuality. 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