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.

[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.