“The best way to lose an election is to tell the voters your plans.”
— Stephen Colbert
Simplified Meaning:
When running for office, being too honest about your detailed plans can actually work against you. If a candidate shares their specific ideas, people might find something they don't like, even if most of the plan is good. Imagine you're planning a surprise party and you tell everyone exactly what you’re going to do. Some may love it, but others will focus on things they don't like, such as the choice of cake or music. Candidates often speak in general terms so they don’t lose the support of people who may disagree with parts of their detailed plan. It’s like when a company advertises a product by highlighting its benefits without detailing every single feature that might not appeal to everyone. If you’re trying to win votes, it's better to talk broadly about positive changes instead of specifics that might scare people away. Applying this in life, if you’re trying to get a group on board with an idea, focusing on the good outcomes rather than the complex details can help you gain their support.