The term “flip-flopper,” in the political sense, refers to individuals who shift their positions or are willing to compromise in order to secure their chair in office. Although the term has a negative connotation, many strategists agree that compromise is a necessary force in politics. Both left and right wing extremists in congress are often unwilling to cooperate and fail to adhere to “give and take.” The absence of negotiation has facilitated a 9% decrease in public approval ratings of Congress. However, voters insist that they will not support candidates who are willing to compromise on critical issues. In recent history, the 2004 Bush Campaign released an advertisement that depicted Democratic candidate John Kerry windsurfing. The ad narrator read, "In which direction would John Kerry lead? Kerry voted for the Iraq war, opposed it, supported it and now opposes it again. ... John Kerry: whichever way the wind blows" (Julian Zelizer).
Leading Republican candidate, Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romey, and President Obama have concurrently been referred to as “flip-flopers.” Perhaps the most common scrutiny of the Obama administration has been his willingness to meet centrists “halfway” and his failure to stand firmly against right wing extremists.
Mitt Romney has also distinguished himself as a flip-flopper due to his willingness to shift his stance on issues in order to secure an election. His rival candidate Rick Perry exclaimed during a Republican debate, "I think Americans just don't know sometimes which Mitt Romney they're dealing with” (Julian Zelizer).
Priorities USA is a pro-President Obama political organization whose leaders have submitted a memo characterizing Romney as a pro-life candidate despite his convenient flip-flop persona. The organizations co-founder, Bill Burton, claimed, “"If Romney wins the presidency, he won't have to 'fake it' ever again. He will be free to push a radical anti-choice agenda that bans abortion, appoint Supreme Court justices who will overturn Roe vs. Wade, and fulfill his promise to support legislation that defunds Planned Parenthood” (Foxnews). Burton was also questioned on Romney’s stance concerning the Mississippi “personhood” amendment. The pro-life amendment establishes “personhood” as the moment of conception. Democrats submitted disputed claims, which suggest that Romney has expressed his support for the amendment during a FoxNews interview in October. Burton replied to these statements, “(Romney is) finally being honest about his anti-choice agenda”(Foxnews). Democrats have attempted to distinguished Romney as a candidate willing to alter his standpoints regarding pivotal issues, despite his truly pro-life conservative values.
Without specifically referring the Mississippi personhood amendment, Romney commented that he does believe that life begins at conception. However, while running for governor in Massachusetts Romney vowed to uphold abortion rights. This discrepancy illuminates Romney’s willingness to compromise and flip-flop his stance (Foxnews).
However, perhaps a “flip-floper” is precisely what America needs in order to settle the inevitable stalemate within Congress. For example, President Ronald Regan’s willingness to negotiate with the Soviet Union in 1987, despite his reluctance to do so throughout his presidency, is considered a compromise worth celebrating (Foxnews). Although Romney’s shifting standpoints and Obama’s tendency to compromise have been ridiculed as misleading attempts to further their political agenda’s, up-front cooperation and open-mindedness may influence the re-birth of America’s dwindling economy.
Works Cited: Julian Zelizer. http://www.cnn.com/2011/11/09/opinion/zelizer-flip-floppers/index.html?iref=allsearch
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