Political Flip-Flops
Author: Susan Bernau

In December 2008, Mike Huckabee's campaign had to do something
to get ahead of Mitt Romney. The campaign aids urged a negative
attack ad campaign to which Mike Huckabee reluctantly agreed.
Flyers were made. A TV ad was produced and a 60 second radio
commercial was made. All of these were hammering Romney on his
flip-flops concerning abortion.

Mike's campaign burned about $150,000 developing this campaign
against Romney. All of this money was spent on an advertising
campaign that never even saw the light of day. Yes, Mike
Huckabee flip-flopped. His conscience got the better of him as
he told his campaign manager, "I'm not comfortable with this,
this is not the way I want it." Campaign Chairman Ed Rollins
when asked why this money was burned by halting the campaign,
simply replied, "You got to do what the candidate wants to do,
what he's comfortable with."

"The governor made the decision to pull back everything we had
— probably cost the campaign $150,000," campaign manager Chip
Saltsman said flatly. "But I think that pales in comparison to
what the governor did, which was to say `no negatives.' I think
that's historical."

Yes, Mike Huckabee flip-flopped. He changed his mind. He
reversed an earlier decision that was made under less than
optimal circumstances. He followed his conscience and didn't do
what most political candidates do without even worrying about
it. He refused to go negative. Looks like this flip-flop worked
for him, not against him. He did win Iowa after all.

Now let's compare that with McCain's flip-flops. In 1999,
McCain said that, "even in the long term," he would not support
the repeal of Roe v. Wade because "thousands of young American
women would be performing illegal and dangerous operations." And
then in November, 2007, he favored repeal because "I don't
believe the Supreme Court should be legislating in the way that
they did on Roe v. Wade." True, that flip-flop could be caused
by a better understanding of the issue. A person's perception
and views can change as more facts are made known to them. His
emphasis changed from the effects on the woman to the larger
picture, the process that resulted in Roe v. Wade. A change in
priorities can result in a change of view. Ok, let's see what
else McCain has flip-flopped on.

In 2001, McCain voted against the tax cuts saying that, "the
benefits go to the most fortunate among us, at the expense of
middle-class Americans." And then in 2007, he voted to extend
those same tax cuts even though he thought they benefited only
the wealthy. Why would he say one thing and then vote in a
contradictory manner? If there were some facts that changed his
mind, what were they? The tax figures don't change that rapidly
so do his flip-flops maybe mean that he simply is not doing his
homework before voicing an opinion?

Another flip-flop: McCain has voted against a federal
constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage but then in the
fall of 2007, he supported a referendum in his own state of
Arizona that would have banned gay marriage. Is it the different
venues that are responsible for this flip-flop? Maybe he simply
wants the states to have the power to decide this issue.

In 2006, McCain said that creationism should probably not be
taught as a science class. But in 2005, he stated that, "all
points of view should be presented". Isn't creationism a "point
of view"?

Flip-flops, we all make them. Changes of opinion when based on
new facts or a change in circumstances are to be expected.
Changes of opinion simply in order to satisfy or pacify the
demands of the group that is being addressed are not. Changing
one's mind because the former decision goes against your ideals
or ethics is a sign of a person with character. Changing one's
mind simply to follow the whims of the populace denotes a person
of little character.

When you hear of a politician's flip-flops, look at the
situation, the facts, the venue involved. What has changed? What
is different? Maybe that so called "flip-flop" is not only
justified, it is prudent! Or maybe it is just catering to the
group being addressed. You decide.


About The Author: New ideas or old ideas broached in new and
different ways are what you will find in articles written by
Politic1. http://mikehuckabeecan.com