In our system, at about 11:30 on election night, they just push you off the edge of the cliff-and that’s it. You might scream on the way down, but you’re going to hit the bottom, and you’re not going to be in elective office.
Meaning of the quote
In this quote, Walter F. Mondale, an American lawyer, is describing what can happen to politicians on election night. He says that around 11:30 PM, if a candidate is losing, they will be "pushed off the edge of the cliff" and their political career will be over. Even if they try to fight it, they will still "hit the bottom" and no longer be in office. Mondale is using this metaphor to show how quickly a candidate's hopes can be dashed on election night, even if they thought they had a chance to win.
More quotes from Walter F. Mondale
Running for President is physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually the most demanding single undertaking I can envisage unless it’s World War III.
I said I didn’t want to spend most of my life in Holidays Inns, but I’ve checked and they’ve all been redecorated. They’re marvelous places to stay and I’ve thought it over and that’s where I’d like to be.
In our system, at about 11:30 on election night, they just push you off the edge of the cliff-and that’s it. You might scream on the way down, but you’re going to hit the bottom, and you’re not going to be in elective office.
If you are sure you understand everything that is going on, you are hopelessly confused.
What do we want our kids to do? Sweep up around Japanese computers?
I don’t want to spend the next two years in Holiday Inns.
Do you want to tear your life apart and get rid of everything you’ve known as a lifestyle? Like seeing your family? Being with your friends? A fishing trip? A hunting trip? A night’s sleep?
Modern politics today requires a mastery of television. I’ve never really warmed up to television and, in fairness to television, it’s never warmed up to me.