Why can't Politicians answer questions directly when asked?

Question

They always go around the question in any way they can find.

Answer 1

They are trying to please a broad minded public. The less one actually says the less someone can use those words against them. They want to be elected!

Answer 2

Because politicians are devious and cunning tricksters, they will do and say anything to wriggle out of answering any direct question. Especially one which might open the way to another question etc.

Q - "Minister, when is the government going to do something about controlling immigration into the UK?"

A - "Your government, acting on your behalf and with the full backing of Parliament and the people, are doing their utmost the create an inclusive and multicultural society here in UK. Immigration is a high priority."

The above answer, which is typical, does not say anything about what may or may not be done to control immigration into UK.

Blah!

Answer 3

To give a straight answer would mean that that person is now commited to what they have said. This could bite them later if they give another answer that seems to contradict the first. They also need to make sure they don't contradict party policy, it could get awkward if it appears there is a split of opinion.

With packs of journalists, commentators and party whips all ready to pounce on the slightest slip of the tongue, no wonder the politicians are cagey and evasive.

Answer 4

Yes. No politician can commit himself. It just can't realistically be done. So it is a good debating technique not to answer a question directly, so it is always open for interpretation in the future.

Why don't you run for office, say State rep or city council, and find out for yourself?

Answer 5

There is an answer that former Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara said in the video "The Fog of War." In this he said..."Don't answer the question that was asked of you...instead answer the one you WISHED were asked."

Politicians don't like committment, period. If you lock them down to a particular answer, they're committed to honoring it. They won't even answer a yes or no question. If you sideskirt it and switch topics or give a long drawn out answer with no revelance, people forget about the original question.

Answer 6

They sometimes give straight answers, and sometimes they evade the question. Americans can't handle the truth on certain issues, such as we need a large hike in gasoline taxes to induce Americans to drive less. Many times the pols just tell people what they want to hear.

What is most important is to make sure that the pols make good on their promises. If they don't, then vote them out!!!

Answer 7

It isn't the job of a politician to answer questions, its their job to create more of them, and shred the evidence to keep from being caught.
This s the problem with our government that we create ourselves. We look for the person who has the most experience. experience at what? being a politician, and lying.
Things will never get better as long as these are the qualifications we look for.

Answer 8

Well as a respected Politician I can say this, vote for me, only my party will lower taxes and spend more, much more and then lower taxes again so vote for me. Does that answer you question.

Answer 9

Because of the current administrations failure to provide adequate reserves of foreign and domestic oil we're now in economic landslide that's comparable to the miners in Utah who are invisible to President Bush and if they weren't they wouldn't have access to quality healthcare because of the expense of the gafilita fish in Israel, we need to come together by seperating and make strides to our common goal of individuality.

I really need to go into politics.

Answer 10

You answered your own question....There Politicians

Answer 11

Look, that isn't the main issue. The main issue is that the other guys are wankers. Maybe I should be a politician, eh?