Abe Quote by Tom Clancy
“About forty percent of the people vote Democrat. About forty percent vote Republican. Of those eighty percent, most wouldn't change their votes if Adolf Hitler was running against Abe Lincoln - or against FDR. . . . That leaves twenty percent of the people who swing back one way or another . . . the true independents. . . . That twenty percent controls the destiny of the country.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Political Thriller “Executive Orders” by Tom Clancy, 1996
A small group of swing voters, the true independents, ultimately decides the nation’s direction.
In simple terms: Swing voters decide elections.
Engage and understand swing voters.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- campaign strategy
- voter outreach
- policy messaging
- media analysis
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can campaigns effectively target swing voters?
- What issues most influence independents?
Swing voters may be hard to identify and persuade.