In politics, does a politicians creditability go out the window, when they begin to blame?

Question

instead of making suggestions that might help or change things?

Answer 1

Politicians often blame others through surrogates, That way they can keep their hands somewhat clean and maintain credibility.

If it's close to an election, all non incumbent politicians need to define the problems they feel are caused by the incumbents, AND tell how they are going to change things.

If you think a candidate is not proposing solutions, be sure to check their website and read their speeches or statements. It's extremely likely that the sound bites you hear on TV or in the brief reports you find in a newspaper story do not fairly or fully represent their positions on the issues.

Answer 2

Credibility? Politicians have that? Blaming? What? There are politicians who don't do that?

I've never known of a politician who didn't play the blame game. And I've never known of a politician who had much, if any, credibility.

Answer 3

Totally.

Answer 4

Yes, this has long been a Clinton mandate and this is why they cannot be allowed to return to our Oval Office.

Clinton mantra -

"Never pick a fight with people who buy ink by the barrel." -William J. Clinton

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/w/william_j_clinton.html

"A right-wing network was after his presidency…including perverting the Constitution.” (To Barbara Walters about the Republicans who impeached her husband; 20/20, ABC 6/8/2003.)

“I mean, you’ve got a conservative and right-wing press presence with really nothing on the other end of the political spectrum.” (C-Span, 1/19/1997 - Hillary complains about the mainstream media, which are all conservatives in her opinion)

"Drag a hundred-dollar bill through a trailer park, you never know what you'll find." �James Carville, after Paula Jones made a sexual harassment allegation against Bill Clinton
http://www.rightwingnews.com/quotes/clinton.php

"I had the feeling that at the end of that last debate we were about to get into cutesy land again," - Bill Clinton
http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1921529/posts

"[I]t depends on how you define "alone" ... there were a lot of times when we were alone, but I never really thought we were." "It depends on what the meaning of the word 'is' is"
- excerpts from Bill Clinton's grand jury testimony

"The Bush administration continues to coddle China, despite its continuing crackdown on democratic reform, its brutal subjugation of Tibet, its irresponsible export of nuclear and missile technology... Such forbearance on our part might have made sense during the Cold War when China was the counterweight to Soviet power. It makes no sense to play the China card now when our opponents have thrown in their hand." -- Gov. Bill Clinton, Georgetown University, December 12, 1991.

President Clinton was interviewed on January 21, 1998 by Jim Lehrer on his alleged affair with a Whitehouse intern and subsequent alleged subornation of her perjury. Clinton said, "I'm just trying to suppress my natural impulses and get back to work."

Bill Clinton, January 27, 1992, speaking about the allegations that he had a 12 year affair with Gennifer Flowers..."They've been exposed as the trash they are"
Arkansas Gazette. January 1998, Bill Clinton admits under oath in the Paula Jones deposition that he had an affair with Gennifer Flowers.

“Why do I have to keep proving to people that I am not a liar?!”(From the book “The Survivor,” by John Harris, p. 382 - Hillary in her 2000 Senate campaign)

Hillary on Money:
"Too many people have made too much money." (Describing the greedy people in the health care industry.)
"I’m pleased that the Senate Ethics Committee has found that my agreement with Simon & Schuster fully complies with Senate Ethics rules." (Discussing her $8 million book deal.)

"I just don't have any memory of that." (Hillary when that Watkins memo showed up revealing that she had ordered the Travel Office firings.)

"I can't go out and save every undercapitalized entrepreneur in America." in response to criticisms that her nationalized health care plan might bankrupt small business owners.

"Look at the very people who are involved in this. They have popped up in other settings. The great story here for anybody willing to find it, write about it, and explain it is this vast right-wing conspiracy that has been, conspiring against my husband since the day he announced for president"- 1998

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1620572/posts

Answer 5

I haven't notice that, though I'd like to think it could happen eventually. Certainly, in election years, the blame game - negative campaigning - is quite effective.

Answer 6

Yes,to me it brings up a red flag just like " Take my word" " I am telling you the truth" and " I am from the Government here to help you".

Answer 7

Since when does a politician have any credibility in the first place?

You know when they're lying, because their lips are moving.

Answer 8

No, and that's the problem. Bush started playing the blame game during his first term, and he was even re-elected. That's all politicians do these days, because solutions aren't what people want--people want to know who's to blame.

Answer 9

the prob for most is that their cred starts to go the day after they enter the office! they buy into the system and they're done.

Answer 10

I don't think they lose credibility, if they are telling the truth, but they lose some of my respect and my confidence in them to lead and make decisions instead of complain.