This has always been the way of presidential politics. The president rises above the fray while his surrogates go on the attack. They throw the spears and fling the mud he sits upon the throne.

Summary

This quote highlights a common strategy in presidential politics, where the president adopts a more elevated and dignified position while allowing his supporters or surrogates to engage in aggressive tactics. The president is symbolically portrayed as being above the messy and negative aspects of political combat, while those assisting him are portrayed as actively involved in the attack. The phrase "throwing spears and flinging mud" suggests harsh criticism and personal attacks that these surrogates employ, while the president remains untarnished and distant from the direct confrontation.

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