The Associated Press

Tue, Aug 12, 2008 (11:39 a.m.)

Politicians often give long answers to short questions. Republican presidential candidate John McCain did the opposite Tuesday when a woman challenged his conservative fervor.

Speaking to more than 2,000 people in York, Pa., McCain won deafening applause when he answered only "yes" to the woman, who read her statement from notes.

"We conservatives believe that you dismissed our serious quest for responsible, limited government," she began. "In your quest for the presidency, we want to know if it is in you to become a passionate and forceful leader with a conservative agenda to fight the lure of socialistic programs promoted by Sen. (Barack) Obama."

McCain's one-word answer surprised his inquisitor and pleased the crowd at the York Expo Center.

McCain has long struggled to reassure conservatives, who disliked his stands on campaign finance restrictions, immigration policy and other issues. He has fielded similar questions at town hall meetings, and tends to answer them the same way: "Yes."

When it comes to dealing with dubious conservatives, it seems, less is more.