That boy's finger does not need to be on the button.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Obama states the child should not have access to nuclear launch controls.
- In plain terms
- A child is too young to control nuclear weapons.
- What can you take from it?
- Decision-making power over high-stakes issues requires maturity.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What qualifications ensure safe leadership?
- Is this metaphor fair?
Another view
Metaphorical comparisons to children may oversimplify complex qualifications.
More from Barack Obama
And now we have what some are reading as a suggestion that somebody knock off Osama... Obama. Well, both would look good. [laughs]
Permalink to quote #88 Preparing a really slanted piece for its thousands of newspaper, radio, and Internet clients about the McCain-Obama race and foreign policy, Barry Schweid wrot…
Permalink to quote #90 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 peopl…
Permalink to quote #87
Related quotes
I will confine myself to reaffirming the Israel will not be the first country to introduce nuclear weapons to the region.
Shimon PeresShimon Peres quote #10 I have said publicly no option should be off the table, but I would certainly take nuclear weapons off the table.
Hillary ClintonHillary Clinton quote #22 I've burned my own house down, the torch is in my hand. Now I'll burn down the house of anyone who wants to follow me.
KabirKabir quote #1