Why do politicians never say 'yes' or 'no'?

Question

Why can't they just be honest? It's by avoiding answering a question simply, and giving us a positive yes or no answer that disuades me from voting. The day we have an MP that says these 2 words and gives us a reason to believe them will I even think about voting.

Answer 1

Great question.

When reporters and interviewers ask direct questions, it is standard operating procedure for politicians - on both sides - to provide an answer that best illustrates their position...and often, it is not at all related to the question. I would like to know why reporters don't push the point more...force a direct answer. We're all at home hoping for that...wishing that we were in the reporters chair and cutting off the party line and getting back to the question at hand!

Answer 2

It would allow you to pin them down. They rarely if ever give an answer to a question. They will instead talk about almost anything except the thing you asked about The idea is to confuse you into thinking that they have answered the question, when all they have done is confuse the matter. It often works, if you see them on tv, you can if you keep track of the actual question, see how they deviate and deliberately fail to answer the question posed.

Answer 3

The road they travel is a narrow and crooked one. The more they make definitive statements the narrower their options for success and a good image in the future, in the end they tie themselves up so tight they perhaps fear they'd become impotent to act. If they say the wrong thing, (like; 'eggs contain salmonella' for example) you're on them like a pack of rats.

Politicians are really cowardly, image obsessed, tonguetwisting prostitutes with no self respect, who would sell their mothers for 'the party'. A bit like the candidates on 'the apprentice'.

But, but, but before you go consider this; who killed Diana? the press or the people who read the press? Who created our politicians? They themselves or the spoilt brat masses who only want to hear good news and dont want to pay for anything they get? YOU WANT THE TRUTH? YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!!

You created the monster, its your monster, grow up a bit Britain and you'll get more righteous politicians.

Answer 4

Because on just about every major issue the country is split. If they say yes or no, they lose 50% of the voters. So, what politics is all about is swimming in the middle of the stream--not too far left: not too far right; committing only to issues that are supported by a large majority.

Answer 5

because yes or no are definate responses, one politician alone does not have the power to say this is what will happen, he can only say maybe if we do this then that will happen but basically they all need to work together to do anything. If he said yes or no he would be in a lot of trouble for making promises he could not keep.

Answer 6

Windbags, spoofers and posers have no need to be concise or clear. The more words they utter with the least meaning, the smaller is the risk of giving a hostage to fortune.

Answer 7

Because that would hold them accountable for their words making it more questionable gives them so wiggle room if the poplls change on an issue tomarow

Answer 8

In the same way a taxi driver never takes the shortest route; They like to milk questions for all the political mileage they are worth.

Answer 9

Politicians can't say yes or no coz they are not allowed to ...............it's all to do with towing the party line. You will find that they are not alone in this ................ it is they way the world is going when what you say is not what you ment and as long as you defend what you said ............. even though you know what you said was a lie you will be seen to be a honest person....................sad isn't it

Answer 10

yes and no do not give the whole picture would want to know why they gave a yes or no answer so as I cold accurately disseminate the answer to the question.