"A politician is a man who will double cross that bridge when he comes to it"

Oscar Levant's quote, "A politician is a man who will double cross that bridge when he pertains to it," plays on the more typical expression "cross that bridge when we come to it," which suggests to handle an issue when it occurs instead of fretting about it beforehand. By modifying this phrase, Levant injects both humor and cynicism into his observation of political behavior.

The term "double cross" describes an act of betrayal or deceptiveness. Therefore, when Levant suggests that a politician will "double cross that bridge when he comes to it," he indicates that political leaders are inherently inclined to deceit and betrayal, particularly when confronted with challenges or opportunities for self-advancement. This evaluation is laced with cynicism, resonating with a typical hesitation that society harbors toward political figures, seeing them as self-serving and unreliable.

Levant's quip highlights the disconnect that can exist between public guarantees and private actions within the political arena. Politicians frequently campaign on lofty ideals and commitments, yet, once in power, their actions can diverge from these pledges, prioritizing personal or celebration interests over public good. Levant's quote satirically recommends that political leaders may be more concentrated on maneuvering for their advantage instead of really attending to issues as they develop.

Moreover, the humor in the statement can be viewed as a review of political procrastination and opportunism. By attending to issues only when definitely essential and then proceeding to handle them with duplicity or guile, politicians exhibit a reactive instead of proactive approach to governance. Levant's witticism catches this paradox by highlighting the space between public expectations and political truth.

In essence, Levant's observation acts as a cautionary suggestion about the capacity for duplicity in politics. It encourages vigilant scrutiny of political actions over mere words, advising the general public to determine in between authentic management and simple political maneuvering.