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About this quote

What does it mean?
McCarthy compares Nixon to someone who throws a rope that is too short to save a drowning person.
In plain terms
Nixon offers help that does not actually solve the problem.
What can you take from it?
Superficial solutions do not help those in crisis.

Where it applies

  • political critique
  • evaluating leaders

Putting it to work

  • critiquing hollow gestures
  • demanding real solutions

Questions to consider

  • Does Nixon offer real help?
  • When is aid just symbolic?

Another view

The metaphor assumes the help was intentionally insufficient.

More from Eugene McCarthy

  1. It is dangerous for a national candidate to say things that people might remember.

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  2. No man could be equipped for the presidency if he has never been tempted by one of the seven cardinal sins.

    Permalink to quote #19
  3. I can still smell the tear gas in the Hilton Hotel.

    Permalink to quote #16

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