As we've written before, some political flipflops are better than others. The ones that Mitt Romney commits, or might commit in the future, are often seen as being the good kind.
That argument was advanced once more this Sunday (4/29/12) on the Chris Matthews Show, by Time editor Rick Stengel and the host himself, who were engaged in a familiar Beltway media discussion where journalists pretend to be campaign strategists. In this case, the question was whether the Obama campaign should push the idea that Romney is a flipflopper, or the idea that he's very conservative.
STENGEL: The thing that I want to praise is the Etch A Sketch line that the Romney adviser used. He said, you know, when the primaries are over, it's like an Etch A Sketch, you start over. He's exactly right. The scandal, of course, is that he's speaking truth. Romney will set the table again and he will always campaign on the fact that he's been consistent about, which is that I can fix the American economy.
(CROSSTALK)
MATTHEWS: Well, let's see–you don't think the Democrats have a better opportunity of nailing him with all these right wing positions.
STENGEL: You know, the fact that he is a flipflopper, to me that's like saying, "You know what, I change my mind when circumstances change."
MATTHEWS: Well, no, that's what I…
STENGEL: "That's the kind of guy I am."
MATTHEWS: That's what I… that makes the case, I think, for not doing it. Don't make him a flipflopper, because a lot of middle-of-the-roaders will say, "Hey, I'm a flipflopper." The actual voter will say that.
So on the one hand, Romney changes his mind when circumstances change. (When did this happen, one wonders?) On the other hand, "middle of the road" voters relate to flipflopping politicians. It's hard to know which take is worse.
As I noted a few months back, Paul Krugman's take on this question of Romney's sincerity was refreshingly direct: "If he doesn't dare disagree with economic nonsense now, why imagine that he would become willing to challenge that nonsense later?" Indeed.
About Peter Hart
I think it needs to be said that for the Obama campaign to accuse anyone else of flipfloppery – setting aside the unquestionable veracity of that charge – might make for a perfectly serviceable substitute for the standard dictionary definition of "hypocrisy".
Still, points for expertise on the subject.
Being a flipflopper is not natural born territory for most candidates on the right.On the left of course it means next to nothing.It is as common as snow in N Dakota.I have always believed the real heat on him will come from the right.Any from the left is so disingenuous as to be laughable.
Hannity this week the head of the CIA program (at that time) admitted to fully briefing madam speaker ( on 4th Sept 2012.)Pelosi and her contingent on water boarding.Yet the record shows that she later lambasted the Bush white house for never telling her.The CIA chief plainly indicated she was lying when she said it.He knew it.She knew it.Now we all know it.Better to lie than to be called a flipflopper by some i suppose.
While Willard's endless flip-flopping is simply an attempt to placate the teahadist wing of the GOP, the real problem is that he lies about everything and the beltway press looks the other way…
Here's a recent Steve Benen column covering just one week of Romney's whoppers
http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/04/20/11309846-chronicling-mitts-mendacity-vol-xiv?lite
And even worse, here's David Corn pointing out that Romney gave a lie filled speech to
The Newspaper Association of America in April and the media barely called him out on any of it.
"Romney stood before a gathering of journalists. He made a series of incorrect and dishonest accusations. And he was not hooted out of the room. He faced no penalty for this—just a few slaps from those pesky, fact-checking schoolmarms. He will not be banned from similar forums. The politerati is not up in arms. His campaign rolled on. And this may well sum up one of the fundamental problems with American politics."
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2012/04/romney-fact-check-media
Why is it that only Democrats get punished for "flip-flopping" but no one ever notices that Republicans talk about small government, but grow it, talk about the private sector but shrink it, talk about paying down debt but run it up, talk about strong defense but multiply enemies and fail to keep the country safe?
Tishado my eyes are shooting blood.Did you just say only libs get hit for flip-flpping and lying?Do we not remember the last election?We elected a president with zero qualifications.Zero!And education that cant even be tracked its locked up so tight.A loooong list of questionable relationships with radicals,and no- bodies talking.A 25 year close relationship with a man Obama cant remember.And damn near zero vetting,lets never forget that..He never answered any of Hilarie's questions.He never answered any from the right.It was so frigging stupid he could not even present a birth certificate for years.But luckily once he got in he miraculously obtained all that executive experience he lacked(Ok that was a joke).Look Mitt is gonna take most of the heat from his own people.From the left it is just a joke.You folks will say anything ,and do anything to get elected.There is no such thing as flip flopping on the left.or even lying.Remember the ends justifies the means/
Good Lord, P. Ness. The real problem is that all politicians lie and the corporate media don't point those lies out, because the corporations that own the media normally benefit from whatever those politicians are lying about.
michael e's "eyes are shooting blood." No wonder he can't see the truth.
Hey, Jeff you won't get any disagreement out of me.
And TD, I'd note that nothing Michael is ranting about is actually Obama flip-flopping.
Tishido, I'd also add that the health care mandate came from The Heritage Foundation and in 1993, Republicans twice introduced health care bills that contained that provision and that Bush 41 was the first President to discuss Cap and Trade.
Republicans were for this stuff before they were against it. Now THAT'S flip-flopping
Republicans know that it doesn't matter if they lie. I'm sure it's even spelled out in their strategy memos. With our lame corporate media and scared public media, and with a mostly ill- or uninformed electorate, they know that all they have to do is repeat a lie a few times, and it becomes the truth for many people. I don't think it does much good to have websites devoted to listing Romney's lies. Nobody who NEEDS to see it probably WILL see it.
P ness ….how ya feel about Obamas gay marriage stance?
Everybody….Great book out by Jonah Goldberg called "The tyranny of Cliches".Read it.Though I do believe most of you here could of written it!
funny thing about that "great book" by the doughy pantload….the cover claims he's been nominated for two pulitzer prizes…..actual number of nominations: zero
mama's boy acknowledged to msnbc that he "has never been a pulitzer nominee, but merely one of thousands of entrants."
one of thousands of entrants…impressive
Woodward…Sounds as if Clinton showed his own idiocy for ever depending so much on him.It is kind of funny.You can't tear Morris down without tearing down Clinton.Hilary as well.She was Dick Morris's Heeeehuge fan.Trumpeting his genius.Now the liberal spin paints him as a baffoon.You guys crack me up.
Speeking of flip flopping how about BAM?The New york times does a tracking of his "evolving" gay marriage stance.Six changes that match the political landscape to a tee.He is laughing his ass off.He has you lot so trained.As for me I think it is a plus for America on the whole.A nice little parting lip service gift as he exits the presidency.As for any concrete moves there will be none.As for the story on Mitt acting like a dick in high school say it aint so.And why can't he remember 43 years ago?I don't know ….why couldn't Obama remember Rev Wright ten minutes before?I love the left careening down this road of avoiding the real problems in a people magazine version of politics 101.Maybe we can see who BAM lost his virginity next,and if he was a gentlemen after.See if Hilary had any girl on girl action at Welesley as has been reported.See what it felt like from the prez to do drugs,to get wasted, as he admitted to doing in College.Maybe we can recall Mitt punching that kid in the nose for his kite when he was six.Sweet dancing Jesus
t
By the way the story on Mitt is starting to crack apart.This is really sad.We have serious problems people.
i'm talking about goldberg, not morris….. don't recall ever writing anything about him
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