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I don't believe the American people will uphold any political party that puts political exploitation above national interest. Surely we Republicans aren't that desperate for victory. I don't want to see the Republican party win that way. While it might be a fleeting victory for the Republican Party, it would be a more lasting defeat for the American people.

Margaret Chase Smith#10

PoliticsEthicsLeadershipDemocracyIntegrity

About this quote

What does it mean?
Political parties should prioritize national interest over exploitation. Victory gained through unethical means is a defeat for the people.
In plain terms
Don't let a party win by putting politics before the country.
What can you take from it?
Ethical victory matters more than winning at any cost.

Where it applies

  • election campaigns
  • political debates
  • party leadership

Putting it to work

  • evaluate party platforms
  • demand ethical conduct
  • vote for integrity

Questions to consider

  • What defines a party's true priorities?
  • Is victory worth it if gained unethically?

Another view

Short-term political gains might sometimes be prioritized despite long-term harm.

More from Margaret Chase Smith

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  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…

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  3. Today our country is being psychologically divided by the confusion and the suspicions that are bred in the United States Senate to spread like cancerous tenta…

    Permalink to quote #8

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