Thursday, November 08, 2012

Political talk

Driving in to work today I was listening to NPR on the radio (yes, I am a paying member) and heard an extensive interview with a politician. The interview lasted for over ten minutes, and I was very impressed in how, during the full time period and with many questions, the politician did not provide one single straight answer, made no commitments and no firm statements. No one will be able to play back that interview in a year and say ‘but you said . . .’.

It doesn’t matter what party, probably every senator would be able to participate in an hour long ‘debate’ and never make a commitment, or even say something that would remotely sound like they agree or disagree with a specific point. This morning it was a Republican senator, he was asked about if the commitment to increase revenue meant that he would accept tax hikes on the rich his response, starting with ‘That was a very good question’ moved on to discuss how revenue could be increased in a variety of ways and proceeded through three minutes of talking about the attitude of the electorate and ending up saying absolutely nothing. Very well done senator, I am glad that you are typical of our representatives in Washington and still wonder how anything is ever accomplished.

9 comments:

will said...

The non-answer has become the only answer, whether it's a US senator or a local councilman being interviewed. And its the same thing off-camera or if a councilman is asked questions in a citizen's home.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

I'm not sure if I've ever heard a politician give a straight answer Joe, I think 'Politic Talk' is a university degree haha!

Frankie G said...

It is amazing how they do that. It would be nice to see a politician with some moxy.

Don said...

LOL, I love the last sentence where you "wonder how anything is ever accomplished". Come on, when was the last time anything that wasn't totally self-serving was accomplished in Washington?

SOL's view said...

Same here in Oz. Wonder if it's something they're born with?? :)

Elizabeth said...

Yup!
Politicians are a weird breed.....
both parties equally awful.

Oddly Mayor Bloomberg is pretty good since he can't
give himself a 4th term as mayor.........

talks about global warming and gun control and stuff people trying to get elected avoid.

Re the beer: my husband ( whose ancestors were Czech) likes Pilsner Urquell !

Blond Duck said...

Happy Tuesday!

Rob said...

The politicians in the UK have the same talent. I think it must be on the application form: "Please provide evidence that you have never given a straight answer when asked a question".

Virginia said...

It's finally over and even though they are still whining and gnashing teeth on Facebook, there's a HIDE button for a reason. Made my life much easier.

I wonder if politicians get so good at the dodge that when the wife/husband asks them to take out the trash, they can't give a simple yes or no!