"Our system provides for a winner to take office on January 20th, and he is expected to take command of the ship of state. Failure to do so, characterized by hesitation and indecision, will harm the national interest"

This quote by Richard V. Allen is referring to the election of a new president in the United States. He is highlighting the importance of the president taking office on January 20th and taking command of the nation. He is cautioning that any hesitation or indecision on the part of the president will be damaging to the nation. He is worrying the significance of the president taking charge and leading the country in the right instructions. He is likewise stressing the value of the president being definitive and doing something about it in order to ensure the nation's success. This quote is a suggestion of the value of the president's role in the United States and the need for the president to be a strong leader.