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

[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.