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About this quote

What does it mean?
Stevenson warns against a political style defined by smear tactics, contrasting it with true American values.
In plain terms
One path uses dirty tricks to win, but that is not what America should be.
What can you take from it?
Unethical tactics undermine the nation's core principles.

Where it applies

  • political speeches
  • election debates
  • campaign criticism

Putting it to work

  • debunking smear campaigns
  • upholding democratic norms
  • defining national identity

Questions to consider

  • What defines legitimate political competition?
  • How do we reject dirty tricks?

Another view

It frames political competition in binary terms.

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