Game Theory

jimed14

Anyone take this class in school ... I did in B-School ... and man, that's totally what is going on right now ...

Hardline Repubs don't want this $700B bailout ... (granted, I haven't seen what they are proposing)

Dems want this, with their provisions ... as does Obama, after relenting to the provisions so does Bush, as do some republicans, as DID McCain

Now ... McCain has this thing on his lap ... begin game theory ...

Does he stick with this plan, tell those hardline repubs "bite me, I'm a Maverick" and stick with the Dems and Obama?

Does he flip his position and say "you know, depsite me saying we're near a depression, I don't want this bill now ... screw it" Rally around his base, make the case that a majority of Americans don't want or don't understand this thing? And pray like hell the markets hold up until Nov 4?

Do I debate, don't I debate?

Pick a "safe" VP ... shake up the race and take an inexperienced (*unqualified*) VP?

The whole time ... I really think he's playing the game ... I just don't think he's got the public's best interest in mind ... I just feel he'll do whatever it takes to get elected.

I know all politics is like this ... I know everyone weighs their choice with how it'll be viewed by their constituants before they make a decision ... but, with McCain over the past few weeks, they way it's being played out in plain view for everyone to see, the way he is trying to call every shot ... it's so clear to me he's making decisions based on a decision tree, one that leads him to be president.

Just reminded me of my game theory class.

saveuplife

jimed14 wrote:

Anyone take this class in school ... I did in B-School ... and man, that's totally what is going on right now ...

Hardline Repubs don't want this $700B bailout ... (granted, I haven't seen what they are proposing)

Dems want this, with their provisions ... as does Obama, after relenting to the provisions so does Bush, as do some republicans, as DID McCain

Now ... McCain has this thing on his lap ... begin game theory ...

Does he stick with this plan, tell those hardline repubs "bite me, I'm a Maverick" and stick with the Dems and Obama?

Does he flip his position and say "you know, depsite me saying we're near a depression, I don't want this bill now ... screw it" Rally around his base, make the case that a majority of Americans don't want or don't understand this thing? And pray like hell the markets hold up until Nov 4?

Do I debate, don't I debate?

Pick a "safe" VP ... shake up the race and take an inexperienced (*unqualified*) VP?

The whole time ... I really think he's playing the game ... I just don't think he's got the public's best interest in mind ... I just feel he'll do whatever it takes to get elected.

I know all politics is like this ... I know everyone weighs their choice with how it'll be viewed by their constituants before they make a decision ... but, with McCain over the past few weeks, they way it's being played out in plain view for everyone to see, the way he is trying to call every shot ... it's so clear to me he's making decisions based on a decision tree, one that leads him to be president.

Just reminded me of my game theory class.

Yes, I took it in econ grad classes. I'm using it in my dissertation. I agree that politics can be modeled with games.

I'm sure you've seen it, but check out A Beautiful Mind. Nash was one of the seminal authors who pushed Game Theory. Cool movie, not true... but fun to watch.

I agree that McCain (and Republican strategists for the past few elections) have used public choice economists to help craft strategies. Thus far, he's taken 'first move' over and over. Obama sits there having to decide what to do with 'second move'. The only exception was VP selection, where McCain probably didn't want 'first move'.... cause he wanted to see if Obama would go with Hillary.

jimed14

saveuplife wrote:

Yes, I took it in econ grad classes. I'm using it in my dissertation. I agree that politics can be modeled with games.

I'm sure you've seen it, but check out A Beautiful Mind. Nash was one of the seminal authors who pushed Game Theory. Cool movie, not true... but fun to watch.

I agree that McCain (and Republican strategists for the past few elections) have used public choice economists to help craft strategies. Thus far, he's taken 'first move' over and over. Obama sits there having to decide what to do with 'second move'. The only exception was VP selection, where McCain probably didn't want 'first move'.... cause he wanted to see if Obama would go with Hillary.

Indeed, Beautiful Mind was a great movie ... a little fictional, but good movie.

I thought McCain's 2nd move on the VP, complete fake out, was a brilliant strategy ... completely irresponsible, but, brilliant strategy.

saveuplife

jimed14 wrote:

Indeed, Beautiful Mind was a great movie ... a little fictional, but good movie.

I thought McCain's 2nd move on the VP, complete fake out, was a brilliant strategy ... completely irresponsible, but, brilliant strategy.

Why irresponsible? Just curious.

jimed14

saveuplife wrote:

Why irresponsible? Just curious.

Becuase I do not believe she is now, or will be on Jan 20, ready to assume the repsponsibilities of leading this country if needed.

Her selection was a game playing move, not a "country first" move.

saveuplife

jimed14 wrote:

Becuase I do not believe she is now, or will be on Jan 20, ready to assume the repsponsibilities of leading this country if needed.

Her selection was a game playing move, not a "country first" move.

Alright. I don't agree. But, I really do like the "country first" line. Good stuff.