Why can't politicans change their minds?

The term "flip flopper" has really become overused now. A "flip flopper" isn't a candidate who changes their minds on a given issue, but one that changes their stance on an issue to suit the group they are speaking to. I don't think the "flip flopper" tag is fair on Romney, since it is years between his change of mind. On the other hand Hillary can't seem to keep a position day to day, much less going back years. When I hear someone use "flip flopper" against a politician who hasn't changed their position through the entire campaign, it tells me one thing... that person has no idea what they are talking about.

I keep waiting for Hillary to say just that. I mean being a woman I expected her to at least use it jokingly. No one has ever brought that up in a campaign as far as I can remember. And I really think that it is an important point. It is kind of like MO. the "Show Me State". You never change your mind once it is made up on something. That is ludicrous. Nothing is static. The world changes, issues change, and people change. A politition should be able to change his or her mind if the information is compelling. Politicions are all so insecure that they have to jump on anything that they can, and attack to try to make themselves look better. Instead, I think they make themselves look like idiots, but what do I know. I'm just the voter! Shalom~Adoniah

It is not that people are against politicians changing their mind. They are against politicians that change their mind depending on where they are. Kerry was notorious for changing his standpoint on an issue depending on what crowd he was speaking to. Hillary is the same way this year. She goes with what opinion is popular.

Interesting question. I think part of being fit for political office is to be a decisive person and not bring an issue to the forefront until you know precisely which side of the issue you're on. As for "flip-flopping" I agree with a couple of other posters here who have already said that politicians who "flip-flop" tend to change their demeanor, attitude, and stance on an issue to suit the group they're speaking to because they know this motive has been known to fool a lot of people and therefore draw in more followers giving them more potential votes. I believe any politician, be him/her on the left or the right should never pretend to be on a certain side just to get elected but should take evaluate the issues facing our country today, decide where he/she stands, and stick to it... and should not pretend to be otherwise just to get elected. My personal observation now is that too many candidates have gotten elected by either "tearing up" their opponents or shmoozing their way into office or both, and when this happens it is not a fair and just election. Since we, the people, are the ones who elect our leaders, I have to say that a lot of us are partly to blame as well. A lot of people register for a certain political party just because of how that party is portrayed by the pop culture, their friends, family, or other influential figures in their lives, but never really do their homework in learning what each party believes in and how well their respective visions, when carried out, have fared in the past. Once a person buys into all the stereotypes of the opposite party, it is extremely difficult to convince them otherwise. We also have the media, too much of which is liberal brainwashing and deliberately trying to make conservative candidates look like failures and people believe this without even exploring what the other side has to say. A lot of people just all-too easily trust whichever side is making the most noise. In a nation that prides itself in being freedom of choice through equal opportunity it is important that we remain a two-party system - heck, if we don't that defeats the purpose of a democracy, which is how tyrannical governments ensue, but these dishonest candidates and biased media sources are making it more difficult for for "we the people" to really listen to each side and for each side to have a fair chance. As far as a candidate changing their mind goes, it is probably a forgivable thing as long as they make it very clear which side they are on and are still able to present themselves as a decisive and reasonable candidate. But if you have a candidate who seems to take a different stance every time they get up and speak, then you have every reason to be suspicious and wonder if maybe they are doing this because all they care about is winning the election. And the candidates we want to win are those who are more concerned with the future of our country.

While I understand how some may not wish to vote for someone who has changed their positions more often than they've changed their underwear I think it cuts both ways. I'd much rather have someone in office who has an open mind and can admit to having been wrong and changing his or mind about something than someone who is too stubborn to ever give an inch and unwilling to ever admit making a mistake. If I could honestly say I've never changed my mind in my life then maybe I could demand the same from someone before voting for them. As it is, I can't say that, not even close! I've changed my own position on one or two of the major issues in my life; we grow and learn and sometimes situations change. Concerning John Kerry, it was my opinion in 2004 that he got a bad rap. I've been a political junkie my entire adult life and therefore I've followed the careers and votes of most of our Senators and Representatives that have been in office for along time through the years and Kerry has always been quite consistent on the issues. Saying you don't like someone because of their beliefs is one thing but unfairly labeling them a flip-flopper is another. Annie

i would suppose it depends on how a person feels about it. Everyone has thier own personal thoughts on it. For me it depends what type of turn about the person took. How will it affect the United States in a whole.

as a student, especially a chinese student ,i did't involve myself too much politic ,i think the world is changing all the time ,your mind should also be changed.i personally like change,actually the change i met most of the time is good ,but you still can't just deny a person just for his change ,you can judge whether his change worth your continous support ,maybe it's a good change .