Philip  +  570055 Thu, 25 Sep 08 12:34 AM 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. Philip Joined on Thu, Jun 23 2005 Veteran Member 8,738 At reise er at leve! - H. C. Andersen

	Huevos  +  570057 Thu, 25 Sep 08 12:58 AM Philip “Native 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. Huevos Joined on Tue, Mar 25 2008 Regular Member 626 British Native

	Grammar Geek  +  570071 Thu, 25 Sep 08 02:07 AM  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. :S Grammar Geek Joined on Tue, Jan 10 2006 Veteran Member 19,681 Barbara, who answers in American English. My housekeeping skills attest to the truth of the second law of thermodynamics: Left to themselves, things get more and more random!

	Clive  +  570109 Thu, 25 Sep 08 05:10 AM 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 Clive Joined on Thu, Oct 28 2004 Canada Veteran Member 29,645 El tango argentino es un pensamiento triste que se puede bailar (The tango argentino is a sad thought which can be danced) Enrique Santos Discépolo Verbs, Nouns

	CalifJim  +  570115 Thu, 25 Sep 08 05:44 AM Philip “shouldn'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  CalifJim Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004 California Veteran Member 22,434 "There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche

	Philip  +  570117 Thu, 25 Sep 08 05:45 AM Grammar Geek “  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. :S ” 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! Philip Grammar

	Huevos  +  570186 Thu, 25 Sep 08 10:36 AM Philip “he 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? Huevos Negatives

	Philip  +  570350 Thu, 25 Sep 08 04:56 PM Huevos “ Philip “he 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. Philip Negatives

	Goodman  +  570361 Thu, 25 Sep 08 05:24 PM 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? Goodman Joined on Mon, Nov 7 2005 Senior Member 3,816 The name says it all! Dates