Can a politician change his mind?

I think they can as anyone can have a change of mind on things but I don't think a politician should be allowed to change their mind on a policy that gets them into power as the Australian now Prime Miniter has done several times, those changes of mind should create a new election.

If they had started their campaign and suddenly change their mind well I would think.....hummmmmmm must be something that is costing votes! I would be very leary of what exactly they changed their minds about!

Great question! I've been saying for quite awhile that it's wrong to automatically attack politicians for "flip-flopping" because we ALL change our views on things throughout our lives and it could just be a part of learning and growing. Personally, I prefer a politician who is willing to admit he or she was wrong on an issue than to be rigid and stubborn no matter what. However, when someone seems to have a different opinion depending on who he or she's talking to or what's in it for him or her, that's a different story. Take Mitt Romney (PLEASE!) for example: he's literally held every position on every issue, sometimes on the very same day! What's worse is he usually denies the change, apparently forgetting everything he's said on tape that lasts forever. I have no problem with someone admitting to a change of heart and explaining how he or she came to that change but when it happens consistently that IS a problem. Annie

Oh yes...I think everyone has the right to change their mind...the only problem with it being politicians is that they seem to usually change their minds AFTER the election.

I think a politician can change his mind. After all, they always do, don't they? I like the like you wrote, "what mind?" I thought that was fitting. I am tired of politics and all the bull and blunders. Unlike years ago, it has become a circus act these days.

I think a politician has the same right to grow and change that I do, but agree this should not happen many times on the same issue in the course of one election. I also agree that if the mind is changed, it should be made public if it's of interest to the public. I personally don't think I need to know if he decides to change his brand of toothpaste, but I do want to know if he changes his position on abortion, raising taxes, etc. AS to changing one's mind upon getting to the White House, I expect some positions might need to be changed. There are some facts that aren't available to candidates on such issues as national intelligence and homeland security until they are elected. I would hope that if knowing these facts should cause a change in positions, they will make the necessary adjustments.

Yes, but it would certainly look a whole lot better if he would just come straight out and say "I've changed my mind and here is why"...

Honestly for the few who have a mind ,I am not obligated to be good like you Sarah .On a serious note though I think politicians change their mind like the weather .They rarely hold true to anything that wont bring them political mileage. Case in point ,we recently had elections on the island that resulted in a change in government .Now before the opposition came into power they verbally attacked the prime minister for teh size of his cabinet .Interestingly though when they came into power they increased teh size of their cabinest by almost two. Now there you have it. ...ALL POLITICIAN CHANGE THEIR MIND WITH THE WINDS AS THEY SEE CONVENIENT

Anything is possible! I know I have never seen or heard a politican change their mind! It would be interesting if one did! More like a miracle!

Politicians are human too (even if some of them appear to be not!). So, I would accord them the chance to change their minds. In fact, throughout their career, I would expect them to change their minds. That's how I would know that they are developing, that they are growing in their views. Unfortunately, I think that in the arena of political fights, changing-minds is a valid target to attack.

Yeah, I think so. When a politician notices that his Opinion is wrong he could change it, like as each human being. It is the best that somebody can do. But this change have to be honest without any interest on it. I think it is a great thing when somebody can change his wrong view and turns toward the truth.

literally no one can change your mind until you want them to change it. When people say that a person changed my mind, they are literally saying that. They just need an excuse or reason to follow a cause. In other words you already were in favor, but you just needed a reason or a push to let everyone know that you like it. I agree, that politicians are good speakers and they can influence others thoughts, I say only influence not change, but they cannot change their mind. It is totally up to the person that he wants to be influenced or remain unaffected. So on the whole I say that a politician can not change someone's mind unless someone mentally disturbed.