"The best time to listen to a politician is when he's on a stump on a street corner in the rain late at night when he's exhausted. Then he doesn't lie"

The quote by Theodore H. White recommends an appealing situation where the conditions remove away the typical varnish of politics and reveal a more genuine reality. White discuss the nature of political rhetoric and the situations that might lead to more honesty from politicians. Traditionally, politicians are understood for delivering speeches that are carefully crafted, practiced, and tailored to please their audience. These speeches typically occur in controlled environments developed to display the politician in the best possible light and make sure that their message reaches the largest and most responsive audience.

However, White's brilliant imagery paints a different image: a political leader on a stump in the rain, speaking late at night, when both the elements and fatigue weigh heavily upon him. This is far gotten rid of from the typical setting. The "stump" is a throwback term describing unscripted speaking engagements, frequently defined by a lack of preparation and polish. It indicates raw, unrehearsed interaction-- a plain contrast to the carefully handled appearances modern political leaders normally prefer.

The rain and lateness of the hour introduce components of physical pain and tiredness. The harsh weather condition may symbolize hardship and get rid of the façade typically maintained by regulated environments. Fatigue, both physical and psychological, can act as a potent truth serum, wearing down a person's defenses and potentially leading them to speak more freely and honestly. In this state, a politician might be less inclined to manipulate words for personal gain or popularity, abandoning the façade of polished rhetoric for authentic idea.

Therefore, White is commenting on the authenticity that can emerge when layers of artifice are stripped away by unforeseeable situations. The quote recommends that authentic truths might just emerge when people, even political leaders, are removed from their aspect, made vulnerable by exhaustion, and forced to engage in vulnerable interaction. In essence, he posits that real sincerity shines through when pretense becomes unsustainable.