The Blog About Everything » Politics

Political Flip Flopping

Danny — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 19:51:13 +0000

Guest post written by Chris Lloyd

Consistency is a highly rated virtue in politics. Accusing political opponents of being a flip-flopper is sure to generate headlines and put them on the defensive until they come up with some sort of response.

It’s not hard to come up with examples. John Kerry never really recovered against George Bush after his famous ‘I voted for it before I voted against it’ comment. Arlen Specter is currently facing an uphill battle against both sides of the political spectrum after he switched parties (and several positions) in the face of a pending primary loss.

I’m sure you can think of many others. In fact, it would probably be harder to think about any campaign of significance that didn’t include some of these accusations. Any competent opposition research focuses on finding those “gotcha” opportunities of someone saying something different than they are currently saying.

Why is this such a powerful weapon in a campaign? I think it is because it confirms are worst suspicions about most politicians. We think politicians are nothing more than used car salesmen with no principles higher than getting us to vote for them. Why else would they say one thing one day…and something else on another?

Is that really fair though? You have changed your mind and I bet you don’t think you are worthless liar. If someone changes their mind based on new information, we should admire and respect that.

So how do you know when a politician has had an honest change of heart? There is no way to be sure, but there are some clues. If their new position isn’t driven by a recent poll, it is hard to say they did it for political advantage. If they mention their previous position, you can have a little bit of hope that their change of position is sincere.
You can have even more hope if they provide even a little bit of a story on what exactly changed their mind. If they don’t provide that explanation until they have been caught by a reporter or an opponent, I tend to be more skeptical.

And in fact, I am usually skeptical when a politician changes their positions, but I think we would all be better citizens if we gave them a chance.

This was written by Chris Lloyd. When he isn’t being an amateur political pundit, he tries to help people find the perfect Austin apartment.

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Barack Obama Inauguration Live On Facebook

Danny — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 15:29:24 +0000

: Image by jmtimages via Flickr

Barack Obama will make history today as he is sworn in as the 44th President of the United States. A big part of his campaign was using social media networks like twitter and facebook to draw voters his way. Now facebook has teamed up with cnn to bring a live broadcast you are able to watch through www.cnn.com/live .

It is amazing how far we have come as a country, whether you are republican or democrat, rich or poor, black or white this is a historic moment in United Sates history and I am happy to be able to witness it live on facebook.

Barack Obama Inauguration Video

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Congrats to Barack Obama

Danny — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 04:47:15 +0000

Congratulations to the new President Elect Barack Obama, Although I don’t agree with a lot of his ideas, I do applaud his charisma and his ability to aspire the American people. I do believe we do need change and I do hope Barack Obama can deliver on what he promises. I hope we can come together as Americans in this difficult time and make this country even greater than it already is. Also to John McCain who delivered a great speech in defeat, I can’t even imagine what it must be like to work so hard campaigning for two years and lose. John McCain is a great patriot but this was Barack Obama’s night.

barack obama america flag

Vote none of the above ?

Danny — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 22:54:33 +0000

Ok as millions of Americans go to vote on Tuesday here is the matchup. We have Barrack “Change” Obama Vs John “The Maverick” ßself proclaimed McCain. Wow we are totally screwed. Makes me think back to the movie Brewsters Millions when Richard Prior’s character played a politician to urge the voters to vote for none of the above. This is how I feel, I really don’t feel comfortable with either candidate and this at a time when our country needs real leaders we have a candidate that proclaims he is about change although I think much of what he talks about and the things he is going to change will never be able to come to fruition. Our other candidate is trying to disassociate himself from George Bush but most of what he stands for our George Bush policies.

I still have not made up my mind yet in whom I am voting for but am leaning to Obama even though I typically vote republican. I still can’t get over the fact we are still in Iraq and most of tax dollars going to Iraq while the Iraq government has a surplus not to mention all the senseless death of American soldiers. Though I believe as Richard Prior states in this video most our politicians are full of shit, the only politician I trust is Ron Paul but unfortunately our government hasn’t pissed off the American public enough (getting close) for the majority of Americans to give Ron Paul a real shot.

Presidential debate a real yawner

Danny — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 14:21:54 +0000

I don’t know about you but I almost fell asleep during last night’s presidential debate. Everyone today is analyzing who won and who lost, I don’t think either one can proclaim they won. Mccain needed to win to gain ground in the polls in my opinion. Obama didn’t make his case about the change he is going to bring about but he really didn’t have to since he is ahead in the polls. Obama did seem to agree with John Mccain more than several times and the debate never really got heated.

I am starting to think Mccain choose of Vice President is starting to backfire and he is now keeping Sarah Palin locked up in a closet. I feel bad for Joe Biden nobody is even paying attention to him, I guess because he is not as sexy as Sarah.I would have to say this debate was more like a draw, I liken it to two boxers coming out and feeling each other out and not ready to throw the knockout blow so early.

Matt Damon disses Sarah Palin

Danny — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 05:16:38 +0000

Matt Damon throwing his two cents regarding Sarah Palin being picked by McCain as his VP canidate. Everyone was laughing at first when McCain chose Palin but since he has jumped ahead of Obama in the polls and Sarah Palin has been launched into a celebrity like status maybe that is why Damon is envious of the “soccer mom”. The Obama camp has now been trying to dish out all the negative attacks to stop the momentum the McCain camp has received. Ironic how Sarah Palin was made popular by delivering a speech. Does this sound famaliar? I wish the canidates will get back to talking about the real issues instead of these pep rally speeches. They need to get back to making the false promises of what they are going to do for the country like creating new jobs, reducing taxes, and lowering gas prices.

Palin’s Daughter Enough is Enough

Danny — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 03:42:05 +0000

Ok I am so sick and tired of the media making the news and dramatizing everything. The media is suppose to report the news not dramatize it. They really have gone overboard with the new vice president candidate and her pregnant teenage daughter. So what does every politician have to have a squeaky clean life and his or her entire family have the same. Nobody in this world is perfect especially politicians but this is what we expect? I do not believe Governor Palin is qualified or is the best candidate for John Mccain but the reason I wouldn’t vote for them wouldn’t be because of her teenage daughter being pregnant.

Barrack Obama wouldn’t even throw mud regarding the the issue and in a day and age of ruthless mudsling against your political opponent this was off limits for the presedential hopeful. I wish the media would do the same and concern themselves with reporting the real matters that affect this great country of ours.

What did Jesse Jackson Say?

Danny — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 01:33:43 +0000

Ok what’s the big deal about Jesse Jackson saying he is sick of Barrack Obama talking down to black people, and he wants to cut his nuts off? Is this all that bad I think this would make for good TV. You mean to tell me Jesse Jackson didn’t know the microphone was on? He has been around TV all his life. What is his motive is he upset that Barrack Obama is times as popular as he was as a political figure and he is taking his spotlight?

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