Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
Smith contrasts the reliable political stance of Senator Kennedy with the uncertain stance of Senator Kerry.
In plain terms
Senator Kennedy is predictable, while Senator Kerry is not.
What can you take from it?
Predictability matters in political allies.

Where it applies

  • voting decisions
  • political analysis

Putting it to work

  • evaluate politician reliability

Questions to consider

  • Is consistency always better?
  • How to assess political reliability?

Another view

Political positions can shift over time.

More from Gordon Smith

  1. I believe that the Government's first duty is to defend its citizens, to defend them against the harms that come out of hate.

    Permalink to quote #4
  2. I have concluded that the U.N. can do a few things well.

    Permalink to quote #6
  3. From the American retelling of Romeo and Juliet in West Side Story to the Japanese adaptation of King Lear in Ran, Shakespeare's cultural influence is virtuall…

    Permalink to quote #3

Related quotes

  1. Although the Senate is much given to admiring in its members a superiority less obvious or quite invisible to outsiders, one Senator seldom proclaims his own i…

    Henry AdamsHenry Adams quote #7
  2. As a United States Senator, I am not proud of the way in which the Senate has been made a publicity platform for irresponsible sensationalism. I am not proud o…

    Margaret Chase SmithMargaret Chase Smith quote #11
  3. Robert Byrd is already recognized as an American icon. Without question, when history is written, Senator Byrd will hold a prominent place as a Senate legend.

    Robert ByrdRobert Byrd quote #30