Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[hiromichi]

Typo?
that group in America that is apart from →
that group in America that is not apart from

or

in America that is apart from →
in America, that is, apart from

“If I ever start considering whose political fortunes will be affected by a decision, we’re done,” he said. “We’re no longer that group in America that is apart from the partisans, and that can be trusted.”
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Hiromichi

[Lorikeet]

I don't think your suggestions match the meaning of the original. I don't know who wrote the sentence (I didn't google it) but the person who is speaking thinks his group is not partisan (that is, neither Republican nor Democratic) and if they worry about the politics of a decision that has to be made, they will no longer be trusted as a nonpartisan group because people will think the decision was made for political reasons and they will lose their credibility.

[hiromichi]

Lorikeet,
Is a group that is apart from the partisans a nonpartisan group? If so, he denies it by saying "we are no longer that group."
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Hiromichi

[Lorikeet]

But he says "If I ever start considering......" That "If" clause is connected to the second part. So the group that is apart from the partisans is indeed nonpartisan, but if he starts considering politics in making decisions, then they will no longer be that group. (That is, they will be partisan by taking sides based on politics.)

[hiromichi]

Lorikeet,
Now I got it. I had neglected that 'if' clause.
Thank you very much.
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Hiromichi