When American politicians say "I don,t think or I don,T know" does it mean they are lying or just Idiots?

Question

cause THEY KNOW way more than that!!!!

Answer 1

Perhaps, for once, they are telling the truth.

I personally would rather hear an "I don't know" as opposed to an outright lie.

Answer 2

You mean sort of like when they say something is above their paygrade to answer?

Answer 3

It probably means they don't know, I'd rather hear "I'll find out," or "I'm not at liberty to discuss that." but an honest I don't know is a valid answer.

Answer 4

Here in Texas we call that the Two Step.

Answer 5

They are usually lying. They just don't want people to hear their real position on something, so they say things like "that question is above my pay grade."

Answer 6

In politics : " I don't think so or I don't know " ? Translate to :

" I'm not allowed to say anything or my masters the criminal Elites and big fat corps. won't fund my campaign next time " !!

Regards.

Answer 7

We I think they really "don't think". The just go along party lines. When one of them "does think, and does know *cough cough Ron Paul*, excuse me I had some Ron Paul stuck in my throat. As I was saying when one of them does think and disagrees with the party hive mentality they get labled a loon or crazy. So yeah most politicians are idiots.

Answer 8

depends on the situation.  If they know, but won't commit, they look like idiots.  If they don't know, and admit it, I find that admirable.  I'll take 100 "I don't know"s rather than one complete BS answer or non-answer.

Answer 9

I don't think they are idiots. I think they may feel a bit moronic to have to say things like that, especially if they know how they want to answer it. You cannot trust a politician. They are calculating. They could be lying. How do you tell if a politician is lying? His or her lips are moving. That's an old and tired joke in my opinion. Sometimes they may not know. It's ok to say that even though no one wants to hear it because we are impatient and want an answer now. Sometimes issues are complicated and take time to explain, comprehend. Doesn't the media frustrate you because everything is so fast paced and it seems the talking heads love to hear their own voices? They talk over their guests' voices all of the time. There are so many commercial breaks. In a newspaper column, there are limitations too because of editors and how a story needs to come together. Politicians are not the end problem in my humble opinion.

Answer 10

It ids called a "need to know". Face it, there is a lot of information our politicians know that they can't discuss in the interest of National Security.  

Answer 11

I think they're trying to avoid boxing themselves into a corner by opining on a subject without first researching and/or consulting his/her advisors.