Risk

Question

I definitely do not want to get into a political discussion here, but I just heard Senator Hatch defend McCain's desire to postpone the debate Friday night and get back to Washington to be a part of the Congressional hearings about the economic crisis.  He said that this is typical McCain, willing to "risk being president" by getting out of the campaign for a few days.  My question:  shouldn't he have talked about McCain's willingness to risk not being president?  Native speakers:  how do you weigh in?  Thanks, pals.

Huevos · Accepted Answer

PhilipNative speakers: how do you weigh in?

Hatch is a Republican. He can only see McCain as the winner. If McCain misses the debate he is putting winning at risk, not losing.

BarbaraPA · Answer

Yeah, "being president" would be like what he was going to win.
Sort of like "He was willing to risk is potential winnings on a double-or-nothing wager," I guess.
Let's never expect members of either political party to speak very well when their speech writers have not had a chance to prepare them.

Clive · Answer

Hi guys,
I agree with Philip that the original version sounds odd.

Let's say our friend Tom decides to fight a duel with pistols.

Whether or not he thinks he will win, wouldn't you say that he is willing to risk dying, rather than that he is willing to risk living?

The relevant entry in my dictionary defines the noun risk as 'chance or possibility of danger, loss, injury or other adverse consequences' (the pink italics are mine)
and the verb risk as 'expose to risk, accept the chance of risk'.

Best wishes, Clive

CalifJim · Answer

Philipshouldn't he have talked about McCain's willingness to risk not being president?

Yes.
Nobody (I don't think) is going to say:
I'm going to take a detour to pick up a six-pack, even though that means I'll be risking being on time to work.
to mean:
... be risking being late to work.

CJ

Philip · Answer

Grammar GeekLet's never expect members of either political party to speak very well when their speech writers have not had a chance to prepare them.

Nor do I expect much from newscasters! Oddly enough, the best I've heard in a long time was during the reporting of the Olympic Games in Beijing. They were actualy literate, articulate - and they knew what they were talking about. Quite refreshing!

Huevos · Answer

Philiphe have talked about McCain's willingness to risk not being president?

Just out of interest I would say, "McCain's willingness to risk the presidency", but I don't think it's possible to say that in the negative. Or am I mistaken?

Philip · Answer

Huevos
Philiphe have talked about McCain's willingness to risk not being president?
Just out of interest I would say, "McCain's willingness to risk the presidency", but I don't think it's possible to say that in the negative. Or am I mistaken?

I think that solves the problem, as far as a prepared text is concerned. Granted, the statement was made without time to prepare. I wasn't sure what it should have been. Good work, Huevos.

Goodman · Answer

Personally, by observing the 2 candidates' speeches and demeanor on the campaign trail, I can't find myslef with a whole lot of faith toward Obama. The word "change" kept flying out of his mouth but not much in the way of solutions. I remember a mentor told me once. " It doesn't matter if it's a black horse, a brown horse or a black horse, as long as it can pull the w

Philip · Answer

Goodman
Personally, by observing the 2 candidates' speeches and demeanor on the campaign trail, I can't find myslef with a whole lot of faith toward Obama. The word "change" kept flying out of his mouth but not much in the way of solutions. I remember a mentor told me once. " It doesn't matter if it's a black horse, a brown horse or a black horse, as long as it can pull the wagon, it's a good horse". Now we have a heavily loaded up wagon with problems. Who may this good horse be?

This comes close to what I said I wanted to avoid: a political debate.

Risk

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