The Flip-Flopper?

Recently I’ve seen a gain in the McCainiacs attack on Romney(rightfully so it’s down to these two for the republican nod) about his supposed “flip-flopping”. Some of it is valid I must admit. However, as I go on and learn in politics that many politicians seem switch or adjust their positions. This is true even amongst men of conviction such as…John McCain?

Yes, it’s true. Even John McCain himself has flip-flopped on a few issues. I have to believe John McCain has forgotten this fact or else has chosen to forget considering he has attacked Romney on flip-flopping. However, I have no problem refreshing his memory as well as educating some McCain supporters.

First of all I start with the obvious. The Roe v Wade comments. He said he would not support the overturn of Roe v Wade on the ground that “women in America would be forced to undergo illegal and dangerous operations.” Well if that were his firm stance then I’d have to respect that even though I disagree. However he then said on the campaign trail in 2006 “but I do believe that it’s very likely or possible that the Supreme Court should — could overturn Roe v. Wade, which would then return these decisions to the states, which I support” so now it’s a state decision? Wouldn’t that open up the possibilities of women undergoing illegal and dangerous operations? And if you believe it’s a matter of states rights then what makes it legal or illegal on a federal level if Roe v Wade is repealed anyways? I have no problem with the change, but it is in fact a flip-flop.

Another obvious one is the Bush tax cuts. He opposed them in 2001 and 2003 on the grounds of liberal talking points. He goes on to say “I cannot in good conscience support a tax cut in which so many of the benefits go to the most fortunate among us at the expense of middle-class Americans who need tax relief.” He not only voted against them, but worked with liberals on amendments designed to undermine the cuts. He co-sponsored an amendment with Tom Daschle to limit tax reduction in the top tax bracket to one percentage point. He also voted for an amendment sponsored by Senator John D. Rockefeller to prohibit a reduction in the top tax rate until Congress enacted legislation to provide a prescription drug benefit. However, now he says he was against those tax cuts because of improper spending cuts yet wishes to make the tax cuts permanent. Wow, with the rhetoric he used at the time I guess he’s ok with going against his “good conscience” now? Though I’m glad he’s on board now. Sincerely.

Speaking of good conscience why is McCain all of a sudden now chums with Sam and Charles Wyly? Didn’t he refer to their actions as illegal and to them as prairie carnivores? Didn’t he lash out at them publicly in 2000? Why is he now reaching out for their support? He called for them to keep their “dirty money” out of politics. Now he just calls to keep their ”dirty money”. I know, I know he gave the money back, but that was only after they found out there was a federal inquiry into both of them. Before that he attended a fundraiser co-hosted by the brothers. Fact is he warmed up to these brothers at least a month before they found out about the inquiry despite the accusations made by McCain himself in 2000. I’m not trying to imply corruption by McCain. Personally, I don’t believe he is a corrupt man. However, the self-righteousness has to stop. No one in politics is above this sort of thing.

Obviously he supported the awful legislation of McCain-Fiengold campaign finance reform. It appears, however, that he is unwilling to run on that part of his record when running for President. In 2006, he basically abandoned the issue all together even though the new bill was largely identical to the one proposed in 2003. Now if he had a change of heart I’m glad, but it’s still a flip-flop considering how he championed this issue for years.

There are other somewhat multiple stances such as: the confederate flag; gay marriage; saying the war in Iraq would be easy at first then saying he knew it would be tough and hard; not embracing Kissinger in 2000 and now embracing him etc etc etc. These all are at the very least debatable and thought provoking in regards to McCain’s stances. None of these are a crime. Nor do they make McCain a bad man or a bad candidate(in my opinion his policies make him a bad candidate overall). Again I’m not trying to imply that McCain is somehow corrupt by any of this. I’m not indicting him on a personal basis. If you want him to be President that’s your right and I respect that, but don’t come to me about Romney’s “flip-flops”. McCain is no better than any other politician in this case(other than John Kerry whom literally changed his mind depending on the crowd he was addressing at that time). All I ask is for the self-righteousness on this issue to stop because no politician is innocent of flipping and on that criteria none of these guys are “men of conviction”. All politicians evolve or even sometimes change their positions over time.