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My opponent said that the people of Pennsylvania who faced hard times are bitter. Well, that's not my experience. As I travel around Pennsylvania, I meet people who are resilient, who are optimistic, who are positive, who are rolling up their sleeves ... Pennsylvanians don't need a president who looks down on them, they need a president who stands up for them.

Barack Obama#87

LeadershipPublic opinionResilienceSupport

About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker counters a claim about voters by highlighting their resilience and need for support.
In plain terms
People are not bitter; they are strong and need leadership.
What can you take from it?
Recognize resilience in hardship.

Where it applies

  • campaign stops
  • economic hardship
  • town halls

Putting it to work

  • motivating voters
  • policy design
  • public messaging

Questions to consider

  • What defines a community spirit?
  • How should leaders respond to struggle?

Another view

Generalizations about groups may miss individual struggles.

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