Barack Obama, Serial Flip-Flopper
Both presidential candidates spent the weekend trying to explain away recent policy reversals. The predominant question for voters this November may well become: Whose list of flip-flops is longer and more egregious?
From CNN.com:
Days after both men reversed course on major issues, the presidential campaigns of Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain spent much of Sunday's talk-show circuit working to ensure accusations of "flip-flopping" don't stick.
From where I sit, flip-flopping is an unbeatable addiction for Obama. For McCain, by comparison, it's an occasional foible.
The flip-flops preoccupying them right now are on acceptance of public financing for Obama and on offshore oil drilling for McCain.
McCain's policy change makes sense given changed circumstances. Obama's is based purely on greed. McCain opposed offshore oil drilling before but now says it should be pursued off the Florida coast. I don't support his new position. America should be promoting alternative energy sources, not drilling for more oil. But given the run-up in oil prices, one can understand McCain's change of heart.
Obama's flip-flop, on the other hand, is purely about self-interest. He promised to accept public financing before he knew he could raise more money from donors. Now that he can raise twice as much from donors as Uncle Sam would give him if he forswore private donations, of course he's pursuing the bigger bucks. What's more troubling is Obama's list of flip-flops is so limitless, he's beginning to sound like he tailors his position to whichever audience he's addressing at the moment. When he spoke to an AIPAC meeting a couple of weeks back, he said he supports Israeli control of Jerusalem. The next day, trying to placate angry Arab supporters, Obama said "negotiators" should work out the contentious Jerusalem issue.
As a New York Post editorial observed:
• He [Obama] ripped Hillary Clinton for months for voting to list Iran's Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization. Days after Clinton conceded, Obama flipped and said he supported the definition.
• Obama repeatedly vowed to meet with various heads of terror states—most notably Ahmadinejad of Iran—"without preconditions." Then, with the nomination in sight, he zigzagged: "There's no reason why we would necessarily meet with Ahmadinejad. He's not the most powerful person in Iran."
• In October, he supported NAFTA expansion. In March, campaigning in the Ohio primary, he called for a "reopening" of the trade pact's terms. This week, he called his own primary rhetoric "overheated" and said NAFTA has had a positive effect on the US economy.
• Yesterday, after signaling opposition to nuclear power, he told Democratic governors he's open to expanding it."
There are many, many other examples, some of which I've noted in prior posts. Change we can believe in? No, change we can count on, because as soon as he takes a position, we can count on the fact he's going to change it in front of the next audience.
Tags: presidential election 2008 | Barack Obama | John McCain
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Reader Comments
This is about Obama's flip flops
He also recently changed his views on socialized healthcare he is now against goverment run healthcare I wonder why he seemed so excited about it when he used it to get elected for democratic canidate. The only change he has shown is higher taxes his values and his mind.
Changing your stand on an issue, should not be a regular occurance.
Obama changes his stand on issues, depending on where he is at and who he is speaking to. So I should admire this?
How is that going to effect our country. A president who can be influenced soooo easily.
America needs a leader who knows where he stands.
Research
I am very open to hearing other forms of thoughts and ideas. Many times it is through listening to these ideas that we find solutions we wouldn't have considered before. That's why I feel it is necessary to take in all the information you can before making a decision - otherwise, what are you basing your decision on? Don't come out here and spout "change is important", "change is essential", what "change" are you referring to? Put facts in there, don't spout philosophy. This is politics, as President you can't spout eloquent lines, you have to physically do things. If you are referring to the act of change in particular, that's great! Change is essential for us to grow as a society. If you are referring to Obama's definition of "change", I suggest you research what exactly that is. I bet you don't have any idea. Because as soon as you look up one of his opinions, you are going to find him on both sides everytime. How can a man push for change all the time, but not have an actual clear vision for us to follow? Make sure you do your research before you vote, that way when the consequences fall for your uneducated actions, you can feel as though you made the best decision with the information given.
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