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John McCain Has 61 Major Flip-Flops: Here Are All of Them!

alternet.org — McCain argues that flip-flops are an example of a political leader who can't be trusted -- so he might as well drop out of the race. Here is a comprehensive tally of John McCain's flip-flops on issues ranging from national security to energy. These are clear 180-degree switches by McCain on the biggest issues of the day.

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  • acevoncash, on 07/10/2008, -19/+59***** candidate sucks!
    • zacharytelschow, on 07/11/2008, -15/+9*candidates suck!
      • Kanele, on 07/11/2008, -6/+1yes because they all follow the wind *blows left*
    • Flipperbw, on 07/11/2008, -1/+5I was disappointed to not see his footwear collection...
    • tkstock, on 07/12/2008, -2/+1Jeez, what a crock!

      The first one on the list has a link to the article. Here are the excerpts:

      From six months ago: McCain said, “There are some areas where the statutes don’t apply, such as in the surveillance of overseas communications."

      Now: "McCain believed that the Constitution gave Mr. Bush the power to authorize the National Security Agency to monitor Americans’ international phone calls and e-mail without warrants"

      That's a 180 degree flip flop? Give me a break.

      The second item is arguable as well. McCain wanted ajudication for the detainees - so he helped create a law (MCA 2006) to allow for military tribunals which provides for ajudication. The supreme court struck down that legislation which pissed him off - does that mean he's suddenly against ajudication? No. Again, no flip flop.

      I think I've debunked 2 for the first 2, maybe not enough for proof-by-induction, but it'll have to do. I don't have time to go through the other 59, it's almost 1am and I'm going to bed. Just read them with a bit of understanding and a grain of salt - it's from a site with no love for John McCain.
    • tkstock, on 07/12/2008, -2/+1Jeez, what a crock!

      The first one on the list has a link to the article. Here are the excerpts:

      From six months ago: McCain said, “There are some areas where the statutes don’t apply, such as in the surveillance of overseas communications."

      Now: "McCain believed that the Constitution gave Mr. Bush the power to authorize the National Security Agency to monitor Americans’ international phone calls and e-mail without warrants"

      That's a 180 degree flip flop? Give me a break.

      The second item is arguable as well. McCain wanted ajudication for the detainees - so he helped create a law (MCA 2006) to allow for military tribunals which provides for ajudication. The supreme court struck down that legislation which pissed him off - does that mean he's suddenly against ajudication? No. Again, no flip flop.

      I think I've debunked 2 for the first 2, maybe not enough for proof-by-induction, but it'll have to do. I don't have time to go through the other 59, it's almost 1am and I'm going to bed. Just read them with a bit of understanding and a grain of salt - it's from a site with no love for John McCain.
    • tkstock, on 07/12/2008, -1/+2Sorry about the double posting.
  • MrTito, on 07/10/2008, -11/+58John McCain is very experienced - at changing his position. Talk about political expediency, geez.
    • SLYK, on 07/11/2008, -2/+9Changing his shoes, too....

      ....that's a lot of flip-flops.

      /rimshot
    • Sheff, on 07/11/2008, -1/+6Changing wives....
    • 10lbhammer, on 07/11/2008, -0/+4my favorites are when he changes positions on bills that he introduced!

      *I hate myself*
    • southwestnut, on 07/17/2008, -1/+1Obama is the king of flip flops.

      Sorry, fact is fact.
  • fstfrk13, on 07/11/2008, -15/+76I don't understand how the media just ignores all of John Mccain's flip-flops and instead paints Obama as one even though he has only "changed position" on a few issues, most of which the media doesn't even tell the whole story such as the public funds incident. The republicans have been trying to show Obama as a flip-flopper even though Mccain has atleast 60 times. And the crazy part is its actually working. If Obama loses this race it will be because of the media, not John Mccain.
    • parkerparrot, on 07/11/2008, -13/+4Amen. I mistakenly gave you a thumbs down. Blame it on multi-tasking.
      • MadKennyP, on 07/11/2008, -4/+25Do you realize you can now change your thumbs down to a thumbs up?
      • godfly, on 07/11/2008, -2/+6wow. thx for the info. didnt know that. i digg and burried you like a dozen times.
    • PolishLogic, on 07/11/2008, -19/+9Yes, Obama's merely changed positions on a few minor issues.....like warrantless wiretapping of American citizens, telecom immunity from spying on Americans, and withdrawing of American troops immediately upon getting sworn in. No biggie.

      If Obama loses this race, it'll be because his followers see him for the utter piece of lying, two-faced human trash he is.
      • haydesigner, on 07/11/2008, -3/+8Because 2 is greater than 61 in PolishLogic's world!!!

        (even ignoring the *fact* that Obama did not "flip-flop" on the withdrawing of troops... PolishLogic obviously has a basic comprehension problem)
      • PolishLogic, on 07/11/2008, -8/+2Quite a bit more than 2. Gun bans, voting to extend the Patriot Act while blasting said act, just a couple more instances. Besides, I don't know about you, but no on drilling turning into yes on drilling is nowhere near as significant to yes on warrantless wiretapping and telecom immunity from spying. Maybe warrantless wiretapping of citizens just isn't very important in your life.

        As for Iraq, what part of immediate and complete withdrawal, did you not understand? Then it morphed into "within 16 months", which became "in accordance to conditions on the ground". So technically we might very well end up with troops still in Iraq in 2012. Yep sure sounds like "immediate and complete withdrawal" to me.
      • sublingo, on 07/11/2008, -2/+6The gun issue is also something Obama's been pretty consistent on. 2nd amendment guaranteed, locally limitable based on the critical needs of an area. Agree or disagree, there's been no flip flop there.

        The problem is when people don't parse properly. Obama's left of center but he's not hard left, and that confuses those who are used to dogmatic political positions.
      • PolishLogic, on 07/11/2008, -5/+2Really? I guess he's been consistent in terms of supporting the Second Amendment while supporting the the outlawing of owning guns.


        Whatever you need to tell yourself to justify voting for this piece of trash.
      • arvvvs, on 07/13/2008, -0/+1A complete pull out is never possible. However I believe Obama will have most troops out within 2-3 years, but will have some to protect places like the embassy.
        I blame bush for the f*** up.
        The "We wont' pull out" was a push by republican 537's.
    • Pic0, on 07/11/2008, -5/+5Ron Paul was pushed down by the media.

      It is sad that so many people listen to the media and believe what they say and then vote that way.
    • plnegative1, on 07/11/2008, -11/+4no, obama is painted as a saint
    • angeliquespeaks, on 07/11/2008, -1/+6It's because the Repubs are whining about it all the time. If Obama and his campaign were always out there talking about McCain flip flopping, they'd report that. The only time Obama has accused McCain of flip flopping, was in response when asked about being accused of it himself.

      The media just reports what people on the campaigns are yammering about. It goes to show just how much Obama isn't playing the same old politics, and this is a good thing. I think it makes the Repubs look more like fools the more and more they use their same old tactics.
      • PolishLogic, on 07/11/2008, -3/+2Yes, his support for the FISA compromise was a good thing, alright.
      • bobbi21, on 07/11/2008, -0/+3Too bad the public still falls for the same old tactics..
  • user500, on 07/11/2008, -28/+21Obama & Mccain flip flop more than fish on a line.
    • parkerparrot, on 07/11/2008, -20/+20Don't group Obama in that duo. He has demonstrated incredibly consistent positions. If you don't think that, then do more homework. Stop buying into hype.
      • barktwiggs, on 07/11/2008, -12/+16Are you talking about those consistent positions on the FISA wiretapping bill, constitutionality of gun bans, justification of death penalty, decriminalization of marijuana, the Cuba embargo, Iraq pullout time line, Nafta support, and campaign finance? Sounds like you should do some homework and stop buying into hype.
      • PolishLogic, on 07/11/2008, -11/+5So Obama's always be a supporter of warrantless wiretapping?

        Who knew.
      • TheRealToma, on 07/11/2008, -6/+1He did the flip...
        Then the flop...
        They should both try for the olympic diving team.
      • Spudster, on 07/11/2008, -0/+1Obama flipped on the most important issues that brought progressives towards him and not Hillary: Marijuana Decriminalization and abolishing the Death Penalty...

        I spent a long hard to time deciding before I chose to support Obama, and it was exactly because he was against the death penalty and supported Marijuana decriminalization. Now that he flopped on those two, he is in fact now MORE conservative than Hillary Clinton policy wise. Why? Clinton's healthcare plan was by far more progressive than Obama's and now we lost that opportunity thanks to tricky pandering from Obama. With Obama voting for FISA and Hillary now voting against, the mistake becomes even clearer.

        The hope for change is gone.
    • duckyinc, on 07/11/2008, -6/+9On digg only McCain flops
    • thal3s, on 07/11/2008, -2/+1Prove it.
  • orelses, on 07/11/2008, -12/+34Shout this folks! Get this to the main page! We need to get big media to start refering to Mccain as having 60+ Flip-flops!
    • ssn697, on 07/11/2008, -7/+2It's a makimaki post. Aren't ALL of them required to front page?
      • orelses, on 07/11/2008, -2/+4It took 22 hours, and pimping by people like myself to get this to pop.
    • PacManDude, on 07/11/2008, -6/+425 years of experience and 61 FF , Obama with 6 months of experience and 5,6 FF ?
      imagine Obama after 25 years
      • catcher6250, on 07/11/2008, -2/+8Bad logic.
      • tcpip4lyfe, on 07/11/2008, -7/+1Seems pretty sound to me. Fanboy.
      • ssn697, on 07/11/2008, -1/+4@tcpip4lyfe

        Your thinking that is sound logic says more about you, than it does about catcher6250's fanboi-ism.

        Talk about fanboy...
      • angeliquespeaks, on 07/11/2008, -4/+3Too bad most of them weren't all that long ago.

        and 6 months? ok...
      • zombies187, on 07/11/2008, -4/+3Obama has 6 months experience as a candidate for president. McCain has not been running for 25 years...has he?
  • brainscab, on 07/11/2008, -11/+27Don't forget he was against Whiners before he was for them.
    • Cuchanu, on 07/11/2008, -1/+3He'll also veto every beer that comes across his desk.
  • mazerrackham, on 07/11/2008, -19/+6everybody poops
  • barktwiggs, on 07/11/2008, -34/+27Well, with 20+ years in the Congress for McCain and the rate at which Obama is flip-flopping in his 3 year tenure (17 reversals and counting), it shouldn't be long before Obama catches up.
    • Nicksname1, on 07/11/2008, -1/+6Is that suppose to make it ok?
    • zombies187, on 07/11/2008, -1/+1Is your point that McCain is Obamas moral equal?
    • barktwiggs, on 07/11/2008, -1/+5I am just noticing trends here. Obama flip-flops at twice the overall rate that McCain does. You guys are smart enough to draw your own conclusions.
      • zombies187, on 07/12/2008, -0/+2McCain is just as bad as Obama, got it!
  • jeremyadam, on 07/11/2008, -18/+7whine whine whine, but do nothing. like al gore....he did NOTHING for the enviroment except whine about it.
    • JoeVet, on 07/11/2008, -2/+7He got you talking about it!
      • BrainInAJar, on 07/11/2008, -4/+1that and $2 will get you a cup of coffee
    • Spudster, on 07/11/2008, -0/+2It's not called whining, it's called promoting awareness. Al Gore has done more to raise awareness of global warming than any other person alive. If you think his efforts didn't attract attention and make climate change a prominant issue, then think again.
      • jeremyadam, on 07/11/2008, -2/+0UNNECESSARY awareness. the climate is warming at slightly faster rate than it naturally should....he overhyped it and now corporations are making millions and millions off "green" products...most of which produce more carbon being manufactured than reducing it while being used.
  • brubs, on 07/11/2008, -10/+16Using this against the Right Wing Noise Machine® bluster about Obama is important. Digg this up!!!! Turn the tables and use thier own medicine against them.
    • brubs, on 07/11/2008, -1/+1I meant digg up the story by the way. Not my comment.
  • superkendall, on 07/11/2008, -27/+22It's not the quantity, it's the size. Nothing on there of the same magnitude as Obama's Iraq and FISA flipflops.

    I know you guys would really love to have McCain be labled a flip-flopper to make Obama look better, but there are some things where changing your mind in the face of new facts is not a flip-flop - if you were not diametrically opposed to the from the start like, again, Obama has been.
    • brubs, on 07/11/2008, -4/+5And that isn't allowed for Obama? Is that what you are saying? Because if McCain can do it and you find it excusable and OK, then don't be a hypocrite and imply that there is a different standard for Obama.
    • ZenMojo, on 07/11/2008, -4/+13Are you NUTS!?

      Wiretapping -- WORSE
      Permanent detention for terror suspects without trial -- WORSE
      Torture -- WORSE
      Changed his mind on closing Guantanamo -- WORSE
      Changing his mind on diplomacy with Hamas -- WORSE
      Changing his mind on divestment from South Africa during Apartheid -- WORSE
      Long-term Iraqi occupation -- WORSE
      "We will win the Iraq War easily" -- WORSE

      And that's just the absolute inarguable worst of the first 15 flip-flops! Look at the list, this ***** goes on.

      You are lying if you think Obama changing his mind on FISA is the worst flip-flop between these two candidates. You're a real hardcore McCain supporter.
      • jclin, on 07/11/2008, -0/+1In terms of number 4 on the list: torture. Use the link and read the Time article. In that article it says quite clearly, "But on this latest piece of legislation, which arose during the heat of the primary campaign and may surface again later this month, McCain sided with Bush in opposing a further restriction of CIA techniques. Despite the claims of some partisans, McCain's decision was not a flip-flop, but rather the continuation of a position he took in 2005 when he first championed a bill to restrict the Bush Administration's ability to mistreat detainees." RTA, people! For the others, I would look into it. I doubt what the diggers are shouting and what this article is saying is so cut and dry.
      • Thuktun, on 07/11/2008, -0/+1"In terms of number 4 on the list: torture. [...] McCain's decision was not a flip-flop, but rather the continuation of a position he took in 2005 when he first championed a bill to restrict the Bush Administration's ability to mistreat detainees."

        So the one he didn't flip-flop on was the one where he finds torture acceptable. That isn't exactly a good thing.
    • Spudster, on 07/11/2008, -0/+2That's the problem. Obama's flip flops are unforgiveable, but he knows that he can commit them because progressives have nowhere else to go. Both McCain and even Libertarian Barr are worse than Obama.

      Even though I will ultimately support Obama in November, there is one thing I'm clearly putting an end to. My contributions to his campaign, financially and physically, are over. I know its not a big thing, but if everyone did this, it would send a real signal.
  • Stryder81, on 07/11/2008, -13/+36He's an old man, can be forgetful, what is Obama's excuse?

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/artic ...

    If there were ever a time to vote a 3rd party, it is now.
    • lsdarling, on 07/11/2008, -5/+0absolutely both parties have put real winners out this year. Obama who spins more then a DJ or McCain who is more of the same.
    • falstaff, on 07/11/2008, -2/+1That doesn't even include his more recent whoppers: gun control and FISA. Sure, you point a camera at a person 24/7 and they're bound to say some contradictory things now and then, but when there are core principles changing within a few months, it's enough to destroy anybody's credibility.
    • oaksw12, on 07/11/2008, -0/+8> If there were ever a time to vote a 3rd party, it is now.

      That's what people said in 2000 and look where it got us.
    • ZenMojo, on 07/11/2008, -1/+6For starters?

      1) There's no quote. There isn't even a paraphrase. How the hell am I supposed to just take the Washington Post's word for it this is what he said, especially considering how the media treated this Iraq *****.

      2) He did mark "Yes" and then he wrote an entire paragraph stating the conditional nature of that Yes which, surprise, the Washington Post forgot to mention.

      3) That's clearly a change on his position.

      4) Considering what the Washington Post left off of number 1, I have to roll my eyes at their use of questionnaires. I don't trust this one bit.

      5) Obama actually was trying to ask Wolf Blitzer to clarify but realized raising his hand would give out the wrong message, so he hesitated, but Wolf wanted a show of hands, so he finally just raised his hand with the entire panel. I doubt he wanted to leave it "criminalized," especially since the Washington Times asked him about it AFTER the debate and he clarified his position:
      'Asked about the two different answers, Mr. Obama's presidential campaign said he in fact has "always" supported decriminalizing marijuana as he answered in 2004, meaning the candidate mistakenly raised his hand during the presidential debate last fall.'
      http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/jan/31/ob ...

      So, yeah, another fake flip-flop put out by the media. Keep in mind that the word "mistakenly" is the word used by the Washington Times, not his campaign.

      Fighting these things is getting tedious, especially on Digg where I end up repeating it three or four times a day. Still:
      "Eternal Vigilance is the price of Liberty." -- Wendell Phillips
  • thepromise, on 07/11/2008, -5/+9This is actually quite useful and interesting. Is there anything out there similar to this about Obama?
  • jda57, on 07/11/2008, -5/+30No surprise here.

    The big surprise for me was Obama's FISA vote. :(
  • cklein121, on 07/11/2008, -16/+7And after Obama's vote in support of the FISA bill, there's only one option. Ronald Paul.
    • zeusthemoose, on 07/11/2008, -1/+2Haha think again. You have two choices, don't delude yourself into thinking otherwise. Until you bring down the mass media establishment (which will be never) you will always have only two credible candidates in PRESIDENTIAL elections.
      • cklein121, on 07/12/2008, -0/+1Maybe, but if enough people were aware of who they are voting for, they might think twice. McCain and yes, even Obama, are both flip-flopping, stereotypical politicians. "Don't delude yourself into thinking otherwise." If enough people would get some sense of how far off course our current government is from what the founders intended, Ron Paul would be the obvious choice for "change."
  • summercomes, on 07/11/2008, -4/+10They should be more than 61
  • chriscreel, on 07/11/2008, -5/+7"These are clear 180-degree switches by McCain on the biggest issues of the day"

    Yep, all the biggest issues, like #4 - waterboarding.
  • SpartanErik, on 07/11/2008, -11/+12Anyone willing to make an article counting Obama's flip flops?

    Face it, politicians are all the same.
    • BIOHazard87, on 07/11/2008, -8/+3Except Ron Paul


      to burriers: no this is not ron paul fanboyism, just truth
      • BrainInAJar, on 07/11/2008, -1/+3no, it's actually just ron paul fanboyism
      • zeusthemoose, on 07/11/2008, -0/+1Have to agree that it is just ron paul fanboyism.
      • BIOHazard87, on 07/14/2008, -0/+1stfu you dumb ass *****.
    • ventralnet, on 07/11/2008, -1/+3no one is interested... such an article would not make the front page
    • ZenMojo, on 07/11/2008, -1/+5Ron Paul flip-flops coming up:

      http://www.google.com/search?q=%22ron+paul%22+flip ...

      Oh, and to be fair, Bob Barr flip-flops so we can be well-rounded:

      http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22Bob+Barr%2 ...

      Ralph Nader flip-flops may exist...but they're not as easily-accessible through the Googles.
    • TheInformer, on 07/11/2008, -2/+3Politicians ARE the same.

      The central plank of Obama's campaign however is 'CHANGE'. The image he's crafted is one of a person that isn't a politician, someone who doesn't engage in actions a politician does, someone who is different.

      Just how different is he, really?
    • thal3s, on 07/11/2008, -0/+1*****.

      That's what the douchebag politicians want you to think (oh well, get rid of me and the next guy is just as bad!)

      Russ Feingold, Chuck Shumer, and Jim Webb are WAY above 99% of the congresscritters.

      Therefore, your theory is proved wrong, therefore, it's invalid. Please stop repeating it.
  • FeargusMcDuff, on 07/11/2008, -3/+11So now the election is a competition of 'Who flip-flips less'...
  • soupyc, on 07/11/2008, -9/+21I used to like Ranch, now I like blue cheese...OMG FLIP FLOP.

    Seriously, given view-altering evidence, whats wrong with changing your mind? One of these indicates he was all for removing Russia from the G8, but now is against it. Maybe he had a nice chat and cup of tea with Mr. Putin, and changed his mind...is that such a crime?

    Granted, that being said, some of these are legit...but come on...lets pick the important ones out of this list and get over the rest.
    • Kanele, on 07/11/2008, -1/+4well that's the right kind of flipflop, blue cheese is far better
      • Spudster, on 07/11/2008, -2/+1Blue cheese?! You anti-American french pussy!! Your either with us or against us, and it's clear you want the terrorists to win! FLIP FLOP FLIP FLOP McCain/Bush 08 YEAH!
    • cornfedbiff, on 07/11/2008, -0/+5It matters when people vote for a candidate based on his/her stance on an issue. We can't flip-flop our vote! If he changed his mind due to information he has recently been exposed to, then he should have researched the issue more before making his first stance. So... you're comparing the kind of flip-flops he has made to a preference of salad dressing?
    • Thuktun, on 07/11/2008, -0/+2"Seriously, given view-altering evidence, whats wrong with changing your mind?"

      (1) Because the Republicans were hard-and-fast against "flip-flopping" in 2004 when they constantly claimed Kerry was doing it. Apparently it's okay to flip-flop about flip-flopping.

      (2) Because McCain claims he's a maverick that doesn't always agree with his party and Bush, but--amazingly--most of these recent flip-flops bring him in line with Bush and the party on these issues.

      (3) Some of McCain's switches are on fundamental issues and have occurred within the past six months as he's become the presumptive GOP nominee, not over the course of a decade or something.
    • cmackattack, on 07/12/2008, -0/+1Patterns are patterns no matter how big or small;

      that being said, every single last one of the candidates suck; http://politics1.com/p2008.htm (just in case you didn't realize who all the candidates are which are running) MSM would make you think it's only obama or mccain, with a very rarely mentioned BB or RN...nothing ever on Chuck Baldwin or others on the list above, but then again...reading Chuck's website... that guy scares me too! I consider myself a libertarian / constitutionalist / independent (which I consider means I am socially left, yet fiscally right, but not in the today's representation of left versus right; each group, D/R, has lost their way very badly)
  • ShooterMcGavin, on 07/11/2008, -5/+24I am not a McCain supporter (although, I was last time around) but I will say this. Just because someone has changed their stance on something doesn't necessarily make it a bad thing. I mean, I chance my stance on things all the time as I get more information about the topic or perhaps because the external situations change. It is called being prudent and not being stubbornly locked into a single way of doing things.

    But, I guess that doesn't make for sexy headlines about "flip flopping".

    What really needs to happen is for us to know WHY he has changed his stance. That would be much more telling, yet MUCH harder to determine.
    • DrPh0bius, on 07/11/2008, -0/+1But the point is that Republicans have made "flip-flopping" one of their key talking points in tearing apart past Democratic candidates, and the Republican masses gathered around to muter "flipflopflipflopflipflop." Now that a Republican is doing it, Republicans want to make it a non issue. It just nice to see them suffer from the machine that they created.
      • arvvvs, on 07/13/2008, -0/+1Why did Kerry loose. Or one of the reasons.
  • pjr12345, on 07/11/2008, -6/+12I'm not intending to become a McCain apologist, but two points are worth mentioning:

    1) He has had a very long political career;
    2) You can actually count his flip-flops;

    Given the brevity of his opponent's political life, I'd love to see a comparison of his "flip-flop" count.

    • Kanele, on 07/11/2008, -1/+0look at the pro politician judging on flipflops
    • ZenMojo, on 07/11/2008, -0/+4Half of these are in the last 4 years!!!
    • TheInformer, on 07/11/2008, -2/+2You won't see any articles on Obama's flip-flopping. That would go against the template.
  • rrife, on 07/11/2008, -5/+14Be fare and list all of the ones by Obama. And then compare which ones are major changes in policies vs changes due to current circumstances. And then compare what they said vs what they voted for. Flip flopping isn't bad, because the circumstances surrounding the issues change all the time.....just think if we maintained a policy of continuing the cold war after the collapse of the Soviet Union because we didn't want to "flip flop".

    I thought the Ron Paul wacko extremist were way out there, but the more I see of the two major candidates makes me wonder if I should be supporting him. His primary goals appear to isolate the US from the rest of the world, similar to the way we were in the early 1900's (read some history books to see how well that worked).....but he's been fairly consistent and I like his ideas of smaller govt.
    • Taiyoryu, on 07/11/2008, -0/+3I'm not a Ron Paul supporter, but a little isolation wouldn't hurt so we can get our own house in order. We're having a hard enough time fixing our own problems (energy policy, health care, infrastructure, etc.) that do we really have time to involve ourselves with the rest of the world's problems. It's one thing if they ask us for our presence, but to continually impose our will (often as an extension of corporate interests) is really becoming old.
    • ZenMojo, on 07/11/2008, -1/+3And then add in Ron Paul's flip-flops.
      http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22ron+paul%2 ...

      And then Bob Barr's.
      http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22Bob+Barr%2 ...
    • Spudster, on 07/11/2008, -3/+1Finally realizing that Ron Paul is crazy?

      Don't worry, it happens to all of us.
    • TheInformer, on 07/11/2008, -0/+2If you consider the amount and inclination of articles posted that make the front page, Digg is the convention center for the Obama myrmidons.
    • cornfedbiff, on 07/11/2008, -0/+2Because Ron Paul's views are different that makes him and his supporters "wacko extremist"???? You must watch too much Fox News. If you would have paid a little more attention, he does not want to isolate the US from the rest of the world. He believes in trading with the world, but not policing it.
  • PlayingGangsta, on 07/11/2008, -4/+18Digg has had 61 front page stories about McCain's flip flops. Here is 1 of them.

    Anyone else tired of this? I get it, he's changed his position. Thank you for alerting me.
  • pintomp3, on 07/11/2008, -2/+9we can thank karl rove and fox news for this stupid term "flip-flop"
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Or-WVxXz7os
    • Spudster, on 07/11/2008, -0/+2I prefer Wishy-Washy.

      That's what they used against Kennedy back in the 60's.
  • psdabfm, on 07/11/2008, -2/+8George Bush never flip-flopped on his decision to go into Iraq, does that mean he's a great president? NO! Don't get me wrong, I think both candidates are full of crap, that's why I'll be writing in the candidate of my choosing come November.
    • cornfedbiff, on 07/11/2008, -0/+3Did he not? During Bush's campaign for president, he was against nation building and policing the world. Now that he's in office, what does he do? Exactly what he said he wasn't going to do. Now Ron Paul is viewed as an extremist when he says it, but George Bush was elected president while saying it. But, you are right about both of the candidates being full of $hit.
    • psdabfm, on 07/12/2008, -0/+1Actually, Bush flip-flopped on his decision not to engage the country in nation building, not the US involvement in Iraq so far, but I see your point. I've probably been one of the most vocal Dr. Paul supporters that I know so I don't think we're actually arguing, I hope not.
  • haterofps3, on 07/11/2008, -1/+4A man who flip flops is a dangerous thing if it is about something that all the info is out and he just keeps changing his position to suit the political climate. But a man who changes his position on something because of a new understanding and a willingness to say he was wrong is a man I want for President. Life so rarely is completely black and white and so rarely do we have all the facts and know the reasons for something.

    I will not attack Mr. McCain because of his flip flops but I will also not ignore them, nor can I, nor will I ignore Obama's. Where this race goes from here I do not know but I will say this.

    Two great men are given an oppurtunity to lead America and the world into the future. Both have done great things with their lives already and both honestly think they are doing what is best for the country. I fear that both do not fully grasp the full measure of the task ahead of them or how many people around the world are watching to see what America does. Either she will lead us into a bright new tomorrow or we will continue down this path of fear and anger.

    Never has the phrase meant so much to a proud atheist "God Save America"!


    • zetrindade, on 07/12/2008, -0/+1Well said. One of the few clear-headed opinions on Digg. I wish Digg didn't allow political items, because it can be really annoying to see the ignorance and closed-mindedness of many.

      Ideas can evolve, with the change and discovery of new information. ESPECIALLY for someone with a career as long as McCain's.

      Very few issues are black and white. It doesn't seem that anyone on here watches what details are included in each issue. I've seen time and time again that when one part of a bill is introduced and presented as the ENTIRE bill, it seems preposterous. As more information is exposed and new clauses added, it can suddenly transform into reasonable and right.

      I wish more people on Digg could think this clearly and evaluate the situations with more facts and clear thinking.

      Thanks
  • PuterPrsn, on 07/11/2008, -1/+6Seems to me that "flip-flop" is a bit rough on both candidates. What happens if more information and facts cause a person to change their position? Is that a flip-flop? Or is that an intelligent change regarding new data? Seems to me, that depends on who is doing the reporting...

    BTW, I'm not crazy about EITHER candidate. They both are the pits.
  • MarkF52, on 07/11/2008, -0/+3i've never seen a candidate that can be trusted.

    flip-flopping = non-event for me
  • c4sh, on 07/11/2008, -1/+3Dear God, people, it's called COMPROMISE. There is an inherent give and take between rational people with different views on an issue and its relating policy. Please, call politicians out when they blatantly deny or contradict their previous statements without quantifying the basis for their decision, but do not mistake a revision of their political position on an issue for flip-floppery.
  • chester27, on 07/11/2008, -1/+3I used to be against the Iraq War - now, I am in support of it.

    It isn't a flip flop - I've simply been introduced to more facts, and my ideas have evolved.
    • ZenMojo, on 07/11/2008, -0/+3Who actually says that? Barack Obama funded the troops but he's still against the Iraq War.
    • Spudster, on 07/11/2008, -0/+3Wait... in favour of the war from the start or a continued presense?

      Those are two VERY different things. The U.S. should stay because quite frankly, if you make a bed, then you better expect to lie in it.
    • Thuktun, on 07/11/2008, -0/+2The kind of people who constantly chant "flip-flop" cannot understand a nuanced approach, read the explanations, and understand why someone made the decision they made.

      On the other hand, when someone says he's always been for X, then later says he's always been for ~X, there's something wrong.
  • zacharytelschow, on 07/11/2008, -1/+7Circumstances and intelligent thinking can lead someone to change their position on an issue. Take, for example, domestic oil drilling. McCain, although against it in some specific cases, is finally for it due to the high and rising price of gasoline. Obama still "stands by the ideological idiocy that drilling for more oil when you need more oil cannot possibly be of any avail" (taken from a Jay Ambrose article). Which stance makes more sense?
    • frankingeneral, on 07/11/2008, -3/+3Ummm actually Obama's makes more sense. I'm pretty liberal, and I support Obama, but regardless, I'd be happy to drill if it actually helped us. The fact is that the oil won't reach market for almost 10 years. If we invest properly in alternative energies (hydrogen fuel cells and the like) we can achieve energy independence by then.
      • zacharytelschow, on 07/11/2008, -0/+2That same reasoning prevented drilling in ANWR in '02 (and prior years as well). That extra oil couldn't possibly help us now, and we're... already... energy... independent...? D'oh. I wish i was capable of such rich delusions.
      • frankingeneral, on 07/11/2008, -0/+1We're not energy independent now because the current administration had no discernable alternative energy policy. When they realized they couldn't get everyone to go along with opening up ANWR they just shrugged their shoulders and said, oh well.
      • zacharytelschow, on 07/11/2008, -0/+1There's a very simple reason for that: alternative energy is not a viable large scale option at this time. It comes down to simple $$$. If you want to pay significantly more for your electricity, why don't YOU slap some solar panels (or windmills) on YOUR property and we'll see how much sense you think it makes then.
      • frankingeneral, on 07/11/2008, -0/+1You're just being ignorant, hydrogen cars are a viable option if we invest in them properly. We need to invest infrastructure, create tax incentives for oil companies to start distributing hydrogen at their gas stations, instead of just handing oil companies billions of dollars in subsidies.

        California is already working towards this goal:

        http://hydrogenhighway.ca.gov/
  • bioprez, on 07/11/2008, -1/+1i think someone should start a Wikipedia page that tracks both candidates flip flops, so then there's no argument over who's has more and lists exactly what they each have changed viewpoints on. A specific list for both would be a fair way to track this, and the media should follow that.

    Its funny all i hear on the media is how Obama has flipped on a few issues, meanwhile McCain is leading the pack on flip-flops. Shows you how the media is manipulated by money....
  • BotchaMcCoola, on 07/11/2008, -1/+0Let us never forget that Bush flopped but was not able to flip. There is a fine art to consistency, not too much and not too little, makes for just right.
  • ghb113, on 07/11/2008, -1/+2Its not that either one of the candidates flip-flops. Its that when McCain is asked about prior things hes said, he arrogantly denies it. Seems to me that we already have someone in office with that level of arrogance.
  • bonhoeffer, on 07/11/2008, -3/+5This morning McCain said, "I'm going to get up." This evening he said, "I'm going to lay down."
    FLIP-FLOP NO. 62!!
  • str1fe, on 07/11/2008, -1/+2Dugg for the ?page=entire at the end of the URL.
  • JessicaLF77, on 07/11/2008, -1/+4And here I was expecting a photo montage of his varied collection of footwear...
  • gojcaj, on 07/11/2008, -1/+561 flip flops? I wonder how many bathing suits he has to match them with.
    • Origin415, on 07/11/2008, -0/+2You would think he would have an even number too.
  • hivoltage815, on 07/11/2008, -0/+6I'm not saying I like McCain, but I think the concept of a "flip-flop" is viewed in the wrong manner.

    The fact is, politics are a career track. You have to convince more than 50% of the citizens to vote for you. The only way you are going to pull it off is if you let your positions change in the "winds of public opinion." So long as you don't change your core values and completely lose your identity.

    Obama has become much more conservative since he officially beat Clinton because he know the Dems will vote for him no matter what, so now he needs to grab the moderates.

    It's just politics folks.

    • michelebot, on 07/11/2008, -2/+1When McCain does it, it's just "politics". When a democrat does it, it's a reason to jump all over him.

      No mercy.
      • hivoltage815, on 07/11/2008, -0/+2When a Democrat does it, the Republicans jump on him or her. When a Republican does it, the Democrats jump on him/her.

        Again, just politics.

        Everyone always thinks their party is treated more unfairly than the other.
  • Kanele, on 07/11/2008, -1/+1Only fools dont change their opinion
    fake edit: not saying voting FISA was smart, just that you judge politicians on something completely worthless, the change of opinion.
  • bioprez, on 07/11/2008, -1/+1are there any republicans who actually support McCain lurking out there? j/w i'm sure democrats couldn't wait to jump on commenting on this post
    • mahdaeng, on 07/11/2008, -0/+2Most conservatives (not necessarily Republicans), like me, are going to vote for him as a lesser-of-two-evils approach.
    • davidg11, on 07/11/2008, -0/+3If you believe that Digg is representative of the USA electorate, then Ron Paul would have been nominated as the Republican candidate for president and would have won this presidential election by a landslide.

      McCain will win if he chooses the correct VP candidate.

      It's his to lose. All McCain has to do is pick a fiscal conservative and NOT a social conservative and he wins independents and republicans. If he chooses a social conservative, the independents will go to Obama.

      I hope McCain chooses wisely because we really need a fiscal conservative in there.
  • ventralnet, on 07/11/2008, -4/+4The next article that won't make the front page..
    "Barak Obama Has 61 Major Flip-Flops: Here Are All of Them!"
  • davidg11, on 07/11/2008, -2/+3So why is Obama trying to catch up to McCain in flipflops?

    To even the playing field?
  • Zman0101, on 07/11/2008, -1/+0http://web.mit.edu/molly/Public/pictures/asia/flip ...
  • mahdaeng, on 07/11/2008, -6/+5And Obama, in the meantime, is rock solid and consistent.

    Please...

    The only thing consistent about Obama is his sensationalism and leftism.
    • Kanele, on 07/11/2008, -1/+0What would be the consistent thing of McCain?
      • deano186, on 07/11/2008, -0/+1>>> What would be the consistent thing of McCain?

        That would be his pandering to the left-moderate-media axis.
      • mahdaeng, on 07/15/2008, -0/+1I don't remember claiming that McCain was consistent.
    • 1033, on 07/11/2008, -0/+4And so far hes pretty consistent on raising taxes too.
    • Spudster, on 07/11/2008, -1/+3No, it's Obama's inconsistancy with the left that makes us angry at him, not his "leftism"
  • ronyu02, on 07/11/2008, -1/+1http://digg.com/health/Beware_Flip_flops_are_out_t ...
  • MrFurious2k, on 07/11/2008, -0/+2This just in, "McCain is a politician."
  • sportsstar67, on 07/11/2008, -8/+3Buried...all these hit pieces get old
  • 1033, on 07/11/2008, -3/+1At least McCain has less flips than words he says, Obama can't talk without falling off.
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