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In short, SB, you are absolutely right that the Flip-Flop issue is bullshit, not to mince words. There is a sizeable segment of the electorate who does not want to deal with the vagaries and intricacies of this world and would rather view things in black and white. They respond well to a leader who for better or worse approaches issues, at least publicly, in such a manner. While it is true that Bush has had vast swings in action based upon changing popular support, on the surface, he projects a single-minded and steadfast exterior, unbending and resolute.
Kerry presents a very different approach. He is a thinking man who likes to keep his options open, and adapt to situations as they develop. This is kind of scary to those who have inflexible black and white views of the world. But to those of us who appreciate the ability to act on one's feet and not be bound by rhetoric, such a flexible approach:
Yes, one can support the essence of a bill but not vote for it because certain elements are unpalatable.
Yes, one can support a bill and then withdraw that support when the language is changed in a negative way.
Yes, one can support the military and oppose programs which don't represent the best options for spending resources.
Yes, one can support firearms ownership, but yet demand responsibility as part of the equation.
Bush's attacks on Kerry as a flip-flopper are no different than the high school jock's attacks on the nerd for being a smarty pants, and no better thought out. I'll stand with the thinking man vs. the bully any day of the week, thank you.
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