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Obama & McCain: A Pair of Flip-Flop(per)s
By David KnowlesJul 17th 2008 11:06AM
Filed Under:eBarack Obama, John McCain, Featured Stories, Scandal
Is there any accusation more toxic in modern-day politics than that of flip-flopping? I'm not talking about overly casual footwear, either. Rather, the kind in question here, as made famous by Tim Russert (R.I.P.), boils down to: Once, you said x, but now you're saying the opposite of x. For x you may substitute any value, concept, or sentence so that what is ultimately shown is a clear change-of-heart. Yes, the cardinal sin for all politicians is the changing of one's mind. Of course, not all flip-flops are created equal. To my mind, the gold standard of flip-floppery is still held by George H.W. Bush for brazenly instructing Americans to read his lips, "No new taxes," only to sign off on an array of tax increases once he became president. Pure instances of flip-flopping provide political opponents with something of a "ready-made" (to use Marcel Duchamp's term) ad. With a few simple cutting and pasting maneuvers in an editing suite, the before-and-after gotcha is complete.
In fact, one might argue that our campaigns for public office have degenerated into a relentless search for instances of flip-flopping. The principles behind a given politician's decision to refine or overturn a stance on an issue pale in comparison to the fuss made over the discovery of the apparent inconsistency. As a result, opponents attack one another even when tthey have actually evolved to share the same point-of-view. The end result of the flip-flop never justifies the flip-flopping means used to get there.The cottage industry currently at work to scour the landscape for signs of flip-flopping churns away day and night. What have they found as regards John McCain and Barack Obama? The following is a list of flip-flops that have been compiled by numerous sources. Both candidates stand accused. Here's a compilation.
Barack Obama:
Public Financing of Campaign
FISA
John McCain:
FISA
The Bush Tax Cuts
Barack Obama:
The Cuba Embargo
Iraq War Timetable
John McCain:
Immigration Reform
Equal Pay for Women
Barack Obama:
Decriminalizing Marijuana
NAFTA
John McCain:
Privatizing Social Security
Offshore Drilling
Depending on who is compiling the list, the flip-flop charges can scroll on into carpal tunnel eternity. These instances seemed like the most credible, if not the ones most discussed. Feel free to take issue with any of the items listed above, and add your own accusations, in the comment section.
Recent Comments
(Page 1 of 26)McBush does not Flip Flop11:26AMJul 17th 2008
Does McSame agree with Bush that the only way to save energy is to turn off your air conditioner?
It's 109 in Phoenix today!
I'm so HOT I'll be voting for Obama!
AZ Republican for Obama11:30AMJul 17th 2008
McCain should FLIP-FLOP on earmarks for his state. Earmarks are not a dirty word. I'm a Republican from Arizona and will not be voting for McCain. McCain is lazy; he states that he never asks for earmarks for his state. Well, all funds that go to the other states are not frivolous. There are rural areas in AZ that desperately need funds for such things as road improvements, and projects to assist in providing employment in rural areas. I know of one disregarded request to build a call center in Indian Country instead of INDIA. So in November Arizona will flip against McCain.
urchin6311:33AMJul 17th 2008
Everyone on this planet has had a change of view at one time or another.To call this alteration 'flip flopping' is a negative description. Given thought most decisions could be changed with the final outcome of emotion.No, wait ,that's not what I mean.All the "political" flopping about is just to cater to the greatest majority.No wait, I meant to say.........
OhReally11:36AMJul 17th 2008
It becomes more clear every day that when we are voting in any political race we have a choice between pond scum and sewer scum...Obama is the latter.
I am sure there is a "respectability" index out there somewhere showing politicians at or near the bottom of the list, followed closely by journalists.
obamabs11:37AMJul 17th 2008
there is a big difference in flip-flopping and lying. obama is a liar. selma got him born ? never happened. hes not a muslim. yes, he is. hes against the war. no, he isnt. he sees dead people. he does ? all his contributors are small donors. lie. his parents were married. lie. i am sure someone can post all his lies....dumb post, by a dumb obama ass kisser.
Tommkatt11:39AMJul 17th 2008
This story came from the extension of the BHO campaign staff the mainstream media.America do not be deceived,BHO is the king of flip floppers,he changes every minute,hour,day and mounth.Fight domestic terror and vote McCain 2008.
McCain Flip Flop NEVER!11:51AMJul 17th 2008
Do you remember when McCain criticized TV preacher Jerry Falwell as "an agent of intolerance" in 2002, but has since decided to cozy up to the man who said Americans "deserved” the 9/11 attacks. McCain has now hired Falwell's debate coach.
McGreed11:54AMJul 17th 2008
McCain used to oppose Bush's tax cuts for the very wealthy, but he reversed course in February.
MCCAIN’S NEW FRIENDS11:55AMJul 17th 2008
In 2000, McCain accused Texas businessmen Sam and Charles Wyly of being corrupt, spending "dirty money" to help finance Bush's presidential campaign. McCain not only filed a complaint against the Wylys for allegedly violating campaign finance law, he also lashed out at them publicly. In April, McCain reached out to the Wylys for support.
Torture No Problem11:58AMJul 17th 2008
McCain took a firm line in opposition to torture, and then caved to White House demands.
Bas12:01PMJul 17th 2008
I don't care if a candidate changes his mind on an issue - I just want to know his reasoning behind the change. The worst thing to me is a candidate that says things like "I have always believed..." or "I will never support..." I don't want to elect someone that is so rigid in their views that, even with new and/or additional information, insist that they will never change their mind. Yelling "flip-flopper" about a candidate just distracts the masses from real issues. And it seems to be working, given the American peoples' limited attention spans.
Me12:02PMJul 17th 2008
How is it when McCain change his views its taken as evolution or something and its no big deal. But when Obama does it then its a flip flop. McCain has more flip flops than Obama has and that isn't good. He suppose to be experience so why he keep changing his views on everything?
Don't accuse McCain of equivocating on anything!12:06PMJul 17th 2008
McCain was anti-ethanol. Now he's pro-ethanol.
McCain does not FLIP-FLOP he forgets12:07PMJul 17th 2008
McCain has a firm opinion until Carl Rove Calls him up and reads him the riot act. Then he forgets what he said!
Not McCain12:07PMJul 17th 2008
McCain does not flip-flop he only has constantly evolving opinions on nearly everything!
CHUCK12:09PMJul 17th 2008
McCain strongly opposes a windfall-tax on oil company profits. Three weeks earlier, he was perfectly comfortable with the idea.
The New John McCain12:11PMJul 17th 2008
McCain thought Bush's warrantless wiretap program circumvented the law; now he believes the opposite.
MCCAIN IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING12:16PMJul 17th 2008
McCain wanted to change the Republican Party platform to protect abortion rights in cases of rape and incest. Now he doesn't.
MCCAIN NEEDS VIAGRA FOR THE BRAIN12:16PMJul 17th 2008
McCain thought the estate tax was perfectly fair.
Now he believes the opposite.
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McCain's Record11:19AMJul 17th 2008
McCain does not flip flop where it concerns helping people. This is the man who voted against raising the minimum wage in, 1989, 1996, 1998, 2000, and 2006.