Flip-Flop or Change of Heart . . .

[flyboy55]

Can politicians change their minds without being called 'flip-floppers'?

I certainly think so.

Mr. McCain, who acknowledges that he knew little about the climate problem when he sought his party’s presidential nomination eight years ago, held a Senate hearing on climate change in 2001 and quickly became a convert to the notion that carbon emissions were warming the planet.

In recent years, he has fought to introduce measures for caps on dangerous emissions. Last week, Mr. McCain promised to demand sharply higher fuel standards from the automobile industry.

He also promised to have the United States join the international climate treaty, the Kyoto Protocol, although only on the condition that India and China join, too. Many experts say that condition is unlikely to be met at the moment.

“I don’t know what it is going to be like the rest of my life on this planet,” Mr. McCain said at the Global Warming and Energy Solutions Conference on Saturday in Manchester, N.H. “But I can tell you this. I have had enough experience and enough knowledge to believe that unless we reverse what is happening on this planet, my dear friends, we are going to hand our children a planet that is badly damaged.”

I suspect that Sen. McCain is too intelligent and too sincere to actually get himself elected President.

On the other hand, Presidential prospects could be good for this guy, who seems to know how say something without actually saying anything (in addition to having had a very rapid change of mind) . . .

Fred D. Thompson, after mocking the threat in April, said more recently that “climate change is real” and suggested a measured approach until more was known about it.

Don't commit yourself to anything Fred . . .


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21337492/

[Skibo]

So far it is only a flip, he gets a pass. If he flops back and wants to destroy the earth, he would become a flip flopper. McCain is the Bob Dole of the new century. Even if he became the nominee he would lose due to lack of interest.

[flyboy55]

So far it is only a flip, he gets a pass. If he flops back and wants to destroy the earth, he would become a flip flopper. McCain is the Bob Dole of the new century. Even if he became the nominee he would lose due to lack of interest.

Referring to Fred Thompson, do you mean he would have to change his mind again and go back to "mocking" the threat presented by global warming, in order to be called a flip flopper? I thought it only took one change of mind (I have in mind a well-known Presidential contender from a few years back who got tagged as a flip flopper).

Unfortunately, I agree with you about McCain's chances of winning (if he gets the nomination). Too much baggage - war veteran/hero (they don't do well in elections it seems), former POW, anti-torture, pro campaign finance reform, and now sees human-caused global warming as a serious threat. Hasn't got a chance (although his continued support for operations in Iraq might gain him some support among those who agree that it continues to be a good idea).

[RinglingRingling]

So far it is only a flip, he gets a pass. If he flops back and wants to destroy the earth, he would become a flip flopper. McCain is the Bob Dole of the new century. Even if he became the nominee he would lose due to lack of interest.

Referring to Fred Thompson, do you mean he would have to change his mind again and go back to "mocking" the threat presented by global warming, in order to be called a flip flopper? I thought it only took one change of mind (I have in mind a well-known Presidential contender from a few years back who got tagged as a flip flopper).
Unfortunately, I agree with you about McCain's chances of winning (if he gets the nomination). Too much baggage - war veteran/hero (they don't do well in elections it seems), former POW, anti-torture, pro campaign finance reform, and now sees human-caused global warming as a serious threat. Hasn't got a chance (although his continued support for operations in Iraq might gain him some support among those who agree that it continues to be a good idea).

all depends on who's doing the labelling and how strict their interp of their rule is...

[Skibo]

So far it is only a flip, he gets a pass. If he flops back and wants to destroy the earth, he would become a flip flopper. McCain is the Bob Dole of the new century. Even if he became the nominee he would lose due to lack of interest.

Referring to Fred Thompson, do you mean he would have to change his mind again and go back to "mocking" the threat presented by global warming, in order to be called a flip flopper? I thought it only took one change of mind (I have in mind a well-known Presidential contender from a few years back who got tagged as a flip flopper).

Unfortunately, I agree with you about McCain's chances of winning (if he gets the nomination). Too much baggage - war veteran/hero (they don't do well in elections it seems), former POW, anti-torture, pro campaign finance reform, and now sees human-caused global warming as a serious threat. Hasn't got a chance (although his continued support for operations in Iraq might gain him some support among those who agree that it continues to be a good idea).

Yes, fred is only a flip also. I believe it was well documented that that other guy had a number of changes in position. I expect Hillary to be a target of the flip-flop smear crew if she is nominated. Actually she will probably be called the "say anything" candidate.

[LIPH]

Don't you actually have to take a position on an issue first before you can be called a flip flopper? Hardly any politicians do that anymore in the era of "what do the opinion polls tell me to believe today" campaigns.

[spartan1979]

My understanding is, if you move from the right to the left on a position, you're a "flip-flopper." If you go the other way, "you've seen the light."

[Skibo]

My understanding is, if you move from the right to the left on a position, you're a "flip-flopper." If you go the other way, "you've seen the light."

Close, if you move from to the right from the left you have seen the light.
If you move from the left to the right and then back left you are a flip flopper.
If you move left from the right you are a traitor.
If you are left and have always been, you are misguided.

[SharkOnLand]

If somebody campaigned on a platform of flip-flops and hammocks, they'd get my vote.

[flipflopgirl]

If somebody campaigned on a platform of flip-flops and hammocks, they'd get my vote.

mine too!

[jonesbeach10]

I suspect that Sen. McCain is too intelligent and too sincere to actually get himself elected President.

Too bad he missed the day in school they did personal finance

Wasn't he the sponser with Russ Feingold of the Bipartisan Campain Reform Act in '02?

[RinglingRingling]

I suspect that Sen. McCain is too intelligent and too sincere to actually get himself elected President.

Too bad he missed the day in school they did personal finance

Wasn't he the sponser with Russ Feingold of the Bipartisan Campain Reform Act in '02?

his fingerprints were on the request form.

[CapnK]

I expect Hillary to be a target of the flip-flop smear crew if she is nominated. Actually she will probably be called the "say anything" candidate.

of course, her husband is known as the "do anything" candidate.

couldn't help myself. We now return you to your regularly scheduled serious internet debate.