How we cite our quotes: All quotations are from Citizen Cane.
Quote #1
NARRATOR: Kane, molder of mass opinion though he was, in all his life was never granted elective office by the voters of his country.
Charles Kane had huge power over people's opinions. But for several reasons, he was never able to use this power to win an election. Sure, he came close. But in the end, he never learned that power and money aren't enough to make a person likeable.
Quote #2
NARRATOR: Few, like one-time Congressman Hearst, have ever run for any office—most know better—conclude with other political observers that one man's press has power enough for himself.
There have been rich and powerful Americans who have run for political office. But on many occasions, history has shown that money alone isn't enough to win an election. You actually have to be kind of likeable.
Quote #3
LELAND: I don't suppose anybody ever had so many opinions. That was because he had the power to express them, and Charlie lived on power and the excitement of using it. But he didn't believe in anything except Charlie Kane.
Looking back on his friendship with Charles, Leland thinks about how Charles had all kinds of opinions because he had the power to make people listen. After all, you can have an opinion on just about anything when you own a dozen or so newspapers. Other people might have good opinions too, but no one will ever hear them because these people don't have the power Kane does.