"Flip-Flopping" ultimately ruined Kerry, and it will ruin McFailin

[msallied]

This is the Dems' turn to take that phrase and own it for all it's worth. Of all the things they threw at Kerry in '04, it was the image of him being a flip-flopper that did it. It was the most repeated meme spoken by everyday folks everywhere. He was for the Iraq war before he was against it, blah blah blah. Regardless of how disingenuous the Rove attacks seemed to us at the time, we can't deny that they worked. Well now is our opportunity to use a similar attack. The difference this time is that we have the FACTS on our side and there is no escaping them.

People don't like fickleness in their politicians. That is probably the lesson I've learned most. To a certain point, we want our leaders to have a bit of a steely resolve, to pick a side and stick with it. Bush took this too far, but if there is any one thing I remember about people saying they liked about Bush (even if it was ill-informed and to the detriment of the nation), it's that he stood for what he believed in and didn't back down. Like it or not, that's what people seem to remember and gravitate toward.

I think that Obama has been helped immensely his unwavering dedication to his values, and McCain/Palin will be hurt by them. Americans don't much like it when their politicians say one thing and do another, and this will ultimately be the downfall of the GOP ticket.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

1. Apparently 60% of Alaskans say she is one. n/t

[msallied]

3. And if Alaska isn't 100% behind her, how can the rest of America be?

[liberal N proud]

2. Only if continuously called on it until November

[msallied]

4. They will be. I don't see this being let go.

[RDANGELO]

5. Also blatant liars.

They are going to be exposed for their persistant blatant lies.

[politicasista]

8. I hope so n/t

[lapislzi]

6. Your post says a lot about why senators haven't made great presidential candidates

...since Kennedy.

As a senator, you have to please a lot of people, take nuanced positions, compromise, play well with others. To the uninformed it will come across as "flip flopping," but sometimes that is the only way the business of the nation gets done. You take a position, your opponent takes a position, and you meet in the middle. You have to answer to your constituents, your party, and (sad to say it) your paymasters. All senators do it. The thing that sets Obama apart is not necessarily his natural integrity, although I'm sure he possesses this--although not necessarily more so than a John Kerry or a Paul Wellstone. It's the fact that he hasn't been in the senate that long. He doesn't bear quite so much of that stain of compromise. Never mind that it's compromise that keeps our country going.

You hang around these boards long enough, you will see people baying for the blood of some of our party's most beloved icons, for this vote, or that vote, or something someone said to the papers.

McDepends has been in the senate a long, long time. He's got a lot to answer for. I think it speaks volumes that Biden's been in the senate for a long time, too, and he doesn't come off nearly as compromised--although there are those who still (rightly) pick him out for his votes on the bankruptcy bill and the IWR. Overall, the picture of Biden is of a much more honorable man.

[Gabi Hayes]

7. the only reason that worked in 04 is because the media willingly ran with it.

you think they'll 'help' the Obama campaign in a similar fashion?

dream on

[GoesTo11]

9. Hatred of America is what should ruin McFailin

Their damn fascist propaganda and debasing of all kinds of public discourse is so bad for the country. All they want is power. This, more than flip-flopping should be held against them. John Kerry did not disseminate fascist propaganda.