Clarifying Questions Sometimes it is difficult to understand what someone is really saying (or promising). Next we will see examples of how to clarify what someone really means.

A statement by John McCain “Our great power does not mean we can do whatever we want, whenever we want, nor should we assume we have all the wisdom and knowledge necessary to succeed,” Orange County Register Thursday, March 27, 2008

One way to be sure everyone is talking about the same thing is to start by quoting what was said: You said “Our great power does not mean we can do whatever we want, whenever we want, nor should we assume we have all the wisdom and knowledge necessary to succeed” Tip Number 1 Quoting Senator John McCain

Ask Very Direct Questions Does that mean you will not send more troops into Iraq? Tip Number 2

Let’s See it in Context “Our great power does not mean we can do whatever we want, whenever we want, nor should we assume we have all the wisdom and knowledge necessary to succeed,” Senator McCain, you said “Our great power does not mean we can do whatever we want, whenever we want, nor should we assume we have all the wisdom and knowledge necessary to succeed” Does that mean you will not send more troops into Iraq?

Here’s What We Did Senator McCain, you said that “our great power does not mean we can do whatever we want.” Does that mean you will not send more troops into Iraq? Restate what was said Rephrase with a more definite statement

Here’s What He Probably Meant No, I can’t promise that I will never send more troops to Iraq. What I mean to say is that, when making decisions about this issue, I will rely more on voter opinion than President Bush did. Please note that this statement is contrived and isn’t an actual quote. It is only an example of how the meaning can be misinterpreted.

More Examples Your turn! Try to clarify what the following statements really mean

That’s what I love about our country, you know, let’s not listen to the nay Sayers. Let’s plow ahead and shape our own future. We can make history. We can make our country’s future. We can elect the first woman president. We can fix health care. We can stop global warming … We can find the right end to the war in Iraq. We can fix health care We can stop global warming We can find the right end to the war in Iraq Tip number 3: We want to make sure we understand what was said so… first decide what you think Hilary C. meant by each statement—then turn into a clarifying question!

Turn these into some questions you might possibly ask the candidates “ We can fix healthcare” taxes to pay for universal healthcare Non citizens receive healthcare Unemployed get healthcare “We can stop global warming” Ban on automobiles Subsidize solar power Tax large vehicles (SUVs) “We can find the right end to the war in Iraq” Withdraw troops Increase military spending Train Iraq law enforcement

Try These Too Are you saying that [ your clarifying question ] ? Did you mean [ your clarifying question ] ? I think you meant [ what you think he/she meant goes here], is that correct?