Flip-Flopping: How much does it affect one's candidacy?

[gibsonsg91921]

John Kerry lost the 2004 elections to the highly unpopular incumbent President Bush. He was accused of flip-flopping.

Mitt Romney, and ex-pro-choicer, champions the pro-life cause in an effort to win the social conservative vote. He is losing to consistent, yet oft-accused of being too liberal, John McCain.

Barack Obama, while running for the US Senate in 2004, said he believed in the decriminalization of marijuana. Now, while running for President, he declares that it is not a good idea.

How much does flip-flopping truly affect one's chances at election? Thoughts?

[Marshal Murat]

It depends.

Clinton has 'flip-flopped' on the War in Iraq. Considering the current hot topic (economy) it hasn't mattered much.

Kerry 'flip-flopped' on different issues.

It depends entirely on the situation. While the ganja may not be a popular topic, it isn't one that many people are too concerned about, so Obama is safe. Choice vs. Life is different.

The flip-floppy of a candidate shows that they may not represent your best interests while in the office, or it shows that he understands that issues aren't black and white. It's all about who and how you spin the issue.

[Lemur]

Barack Obama, while running for the US Senate in 2004, said he believed in the decriminalization of marijuana. Now, while running for President, he declares that it is not a good idea.
Ummm ... (http://reason.com/blog/show/124727.html)


When asked by The Times about decriminalizing marijuana, the Obama campaign reiterated the candidate's opposition to legalization. "Senator Obama does not believe in legalization of marijuana, but agrees with President Bush that long minimum sentences for first-time drug users may not be the best way to occupy jail space or heal people from their disease," Obama spokesman Tommy Vietor said.

The campaign went on to say that, as president, Mr. Obama "will review drug sentences to see where we can be smarter on crime and reduce the blind and counterproductive sentencing of non-violent offenders, and revisit instances where drug rehabilitation may be more appropriate." His campaign later stated that Mr. Obama "always" has supported decriminalizing marijuana.

Given what Obama seems to mean by decriminalization, this position is not exactly radical. About a dozen states are said to have decriminalized marijuana, which generally means that possession of small amounts for personal use does not result in arrest and can be punished by a modest fine at worst.

-edit-

As for the opening question, I think it's useful to break it into two parts: What is the cause and cost of real flip-flopping, and how important is it to portray your opponent as a flip-flopper, whether it's true or not?

[Gregoshi]

I used to think flip-flopping had an extremely important impact to ones candidacy. Now I think it is usually irrelevant.

Tell me you didn't see that one coming...

Seriously, I think the reason for the flip-flop is more important than the flip-flop itself. Too often politicians are accused of flip-flopping based on just looking at the surface rather than exploring the depth of the reasoning. Of course a deeper examination can dispel the flip-flop which runs counter to the point the accuser is trying to make. If the switch is done merely for political reasons, that's a negative. If there is sound reasoning behind it, that's good. But the bottom line in my thinking is that the flip-flop is used entirely too much to discredit one's opponent.

[Rodion Romanovich]

Flip flopping probably has some negative impact, but if you make clear what your arguments are for supporting something, then the people will probably take it better when you change, if the circumstances have changed and the previous opinion based on its previous arguments has become invalid. But politicians who are clear about the background behind their decisions and the basic axioms of their ideologies are quite rare...

[gibsonsg91921]

Agreed, RR. I spend more time trying to figure out the hidden agendas of politicians than caring about what they say they believe in.

[JAG]

It is one of those issues which makes me insanely mad, it is so easy for someone to label another as a 'flip-flopper', but really I would prefer a candidate to 'flip-flop' than be so stupid as to think that whatever they thought at 16 when they became politically aware, is what they should think for the rest of their life.

People in day to day life - and yes politicians as well - 'flip-flop' ALL THE TIME. 'I used to think that butter was better, but now after considering the health problems I face, I think I will go with margerine'. 'I used to love holidays in the sun, but now I just like skiing'. 'I used to think nuclear weapons were a great idea, but now having blown up half the world with weapons not even as close the strength of nukes, I am against them'. 'I used to think abortion was a sin and wrong, now I think people should be allowed a choice'. What is so bloody wrong with people evaluating their position - for whatever reasons, politically convenient or not - and understanding that things might need a different approach.

It is the people who label others as 'flip-floppers' I dislike, not only are they clearly devoid of ideas themselves, but they are hypocrites.

[Tribesman]

Seriously, I think the reason for the flip-flop is more important than the flip-flop itself. Too often politicians are accused of flip-flopping based on just looking at the surface rather than exploring the depth of the reasoning.
Very true , how long did the Kerry flip-flop nonsense go on for last time , indeed a few of the more stubborn "I am not a Republican I am a Libertarian" posters still raise it every time they feel the need .
In that case the flip-flop of voting for a bill then voting against the bill was because the financing of the bill had been completely changed .
Which is kinda funny since considering the nature of the changes to financing of the bill it is those who call themselves "fiscal conservatives" who had a problem with Kerry voting against the taxpayer picking up a massive debt.

[ICantSpellDawg]

It is one of those issues which makes me insanely mad, it is so easy for someone to label another as a 'flip-flopper', but really I would prefer a candidate to 'flip-flop' than be so stupid as to think that whatever they thought at 16 when they became politically aware, is what they should think for the rest of their life.

People in day to day life - and yes politicians as well - 'flip-flop' ALL THE TIME. 'I used to think that butter was better, but now after considering the health problems I face, I think I will go with margerine'. 'I used to love holidays in the sun, but now I just like skiing'. 'I used to think nuclear weapons were a great idea, but now having blown up half the world with weapons not even as close the strength of nukes, I am against them'. 'I used to think abortion was a sin and wrong, now I think people should be allowed a choice'. What is so bloody wrong with people evaluating their position - for whatever reasons, politically convenient or not - and understanding that things might need a different approach.

It is the people who label others as 'flip-floppers' I dislike, not only are they clearly devoid of ideas themselves, but they are hypocrites.

I agree (for once). "Flip-flopping" is a negative way of saying "had a change of heart". There are pluses and minuses to both staying the same forever and changing based on evolving standards or ideas. Big deal. What I look for is the ability of someone to keep promises to constituency.

EX. Romney saids he was pro-choice and he wouldnt change Mass abortion laws as governor.
He didn't.
He now says that he has had a change of heart and wants to see Roe v Wade overturned. This won't affect Mass, so he hasn't broken his pledge, but it is the right answer and I'm glad that he has come to that conclusion. If he had broken his pledges I wouldn't trust him, but since he did not, I do.

[Sasaki Kojiro]

Technically, if you have a position and then change it to the opposite, that would be a flip. Then if you change it back you've flip-flopped. That's worthy of examination. Unfortunately people use it to describe someone who has changed their position slightly.

[drone]

Agree with the line of reasoning that changing one's mind is not necessarily a bad thing, it depends on the reasoning behind it. If it's the usual vote-trolling flip-flop, bad. If it's a change based on new information, exposure to different viewpoints and logic, that's good, it shows the ability to grow and think.

The ability to change one's mind and make informed decisions is a plus in my mind. It's better than "staying the course" when that course takes you straight into a hurricane.