Obama's Flip-Flops..er.."Evolution."

[Shady]

When it comes to flip-flops and "evolving" positions, nobody comes close to Barack Hussein Obama.

Single-payer healthcare:

"I happen to be a proponent of a single-payer universal health care program"—Illinois state Sen. Barack Obama, June 2003.

...

"I have not said that I was a single-payer supporter"—President Obama, August 2009.

Debt-Ceiling:

"Leadership means that the buck stops here. . . . I therefore intend to oppose the effort to increase America's debt limit"—Sen. Barack Obama, March 2006.

...

"It is not acceptable for us not to raise the debt ceiling and to allow the U.S. government to default"—President Obama, July 2011.

Marriage:

"I favor legalizing same-sex marriages, and would fight efforts to prohibit such marriages"—Obama questionnaire response, 1996, while running for Illinois state Senate.

...

"I believe marriage is between a man and a woman. I am not in favor of gay marriage"—Sen. Obama, November 2008, while running for president.

...

"It is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same-sex couples should be able to get married"—President Obama, May 2012.

Sequestration:

"We have an idea for the trigger. . . . Sequestration"—Obama Office of Management and Budget Director Jack Lew in 2011, as reported in Bob Woodward's "The Price of Politics."

...

"First of all, the sequester is not something that I've proposed. It is something that Congress has proposed"—President Obama, October 2012.

Campaign Finance:

"If I am the Democratic nominee, I will aggressively pursue an agreement with the Republican nominee to preserve a publicly financed general election"—Sen. Obama, 2007.

...

"We've made the decision not to participate in the public financing system for the general election"—Sen. Obama, June 2008.

Patriotism:

"I will never question the patriotism of others in this campaign"—Sen. Obama, June 2008.

...

"The way Bush has done it over the last eight years is . . . [he] added $4 trillion by his lonesome, so that we now have over $9 trillion of debt that we are going to have to pay back. . . . That's irresponsible. It's unpatriotic"—Sen. Obama, July 2008.

Individual Mandate:

"[sen. Hillary Clinton believes] that . . . if the government does not force taxpayers to buy health care, that we will penalize them in some fashion. I disagree with that"—Sen. Obama, Jan 2008, opposing the individual mandate for health insurance.

...

"I'm open to a system where every American bears responsibility for owning health insurance"—President Obama, June 2009, supporting the individual mandate.

Spending Freeze:

"The problem with a spending freeze is you're using a hatchet where you need a scalpel"—Sen. Obama, September 2008.

...

"Starting in 2011, we are prepared to freeze government spending for three years"—President Obama, January 2010.

http://online.wsj.co...2106077268.html

Sadly, this isn't even all of them listed. Aside from being a crappy president, this man is a walking contradiction. Maybe he'll debate himself sometime.

[cybercoma]

Not even trying to defend Romney anymore, eh? Going the "Obama's just as bad route" now?

[punked]

This is rich.

[Smallc]

Much of this is an evolution...though I do think he was lying when he said he thought marriage was between a man and a woman...and that he didn't support single payer.

[Shady]

Much of this is an evolution...though I do think he was lying when he said he thought marriage was between a man and a woman...and that he didn't support single payer.

I partly agree. I think he didn't support an individual mandate, but the only way anything was going to get passed in congress, was with one.

[Shady]

Not even trying to defend Romney anymore, eh? Going the "Obama's just as bad route" now?

I defend Romney where I feel he should be defended. But I'm simply pointing out that if we want to examine a politician that's shifted positions, we can look no further than the president. I know that sometimes the truth is hard to accept. Especially when it cuts against certain pre-concieved ideas.

[Smallc]

I defend Romney where I feel he should be defended.

If there was a wooden post labeled Republican, you would defend it.

[cybercoma]

At least his defence would be consistent, since the post wouldn't change positions 15 times during its campaign.

[Smallc]

If there was a wooden post labeled Republican, you would defend it.

Now that I think of it, there already is, and you already do.

[dre]

The whole "flip flop" slogan is one of the stupidest political talking points in history. Positions SHOULD change as different facts and scenarios emerge.

When politicians from either party get up and vomit out this retarded slogan what they are really doing is insulting the intelligence of the voters, and the fact that its often successful would make a reasonable person wonder if the voters have any.

[Sleipnir]

This is rich.

I agree

[Bonam]

The whole "flip flop" slogan is one of the stupidest political talking points in history. Positions SHOULD change as different facts and scenarios emerge.

I certainly agree with that, however, a lot of the changes in politician's views seem to be based not on changes in the underlying facts, or their honest understanding of them, but merely on what a given audience wants to hear at any given time. It speaks to the underlying unprincipledness of most politicians, that when they say they believe something or plan to do something, it is merely words, and cannot be counted on, since if the political winds change, so will their views and promises.

[bush_cheney2004]

I certainly agree with that, however, a lot of the changes in politician's views seem to be based not on changes in the underlying facts, or their honest understanding of them, but merely on what a given audience wants to hear at any given time...

Agreed, and this is why it is such an effective strategy against an opponent. What many non-Americans consider to be stubborn intransigence can be an asset in the eyes of American voters. George W. Bush exploited this advantage against John Kerry in the 2004 campaign, and his father lost an election by flip-flopping on his "read my lips" pledge.

[Shady]

If there was a wooden post labeled Republican, you would defend it.

Whatever you say fanboy.

[Pliny]

The whole "flip flop" slogan is one of the stupidest political talking points in history. Positions SHOULD change as different facts and scenarios emerge.

When politicians from either party get up and vomit out this retarded slogan what they are really doing is insulting the intelligence of the voters, and the fact that its often successful would make a reasonable person wonder if the voters have any.

Have different facts and scenarios changed?

Obama has an ideological bent that has been consistent. He has stated things that he says he believes in but does not at all agree with, entirely for political gain. The above flip-flops are a demonstration of this. In other words he is willing to lie about his stance and misrepresent himself. He knows that American people do not in general hold socialist ideology to be workable in the long term and are more about individual initiative, freedom and liberty so he mitigates his ideological stand hoping to push as much government on the people as he can while holding up "American values" as sacrosanct until the laws are changed.

To quote him he said if you don't have a record to run on a big election becomes about little things. He has no record to run on and we keep hearing about little things regarding his opponent, including binders, Big bird, contraception and income tax records. His talking points are wearying, I killed Bin Laden, the economy is on the mend, we (Democrat policy) have created 5 million jobs, Al-queda is on the run - none of which is true. A navy seal killed Bin laden (He didn't build that), the economy is not on the mend, 5 million jobs were created despite Democrat policy and Al-queda is not on the run but bolder than ever and all past efforts in the middle east seem today to have been completely fruitless.

Edited October 29, 2012 by Pliny

[betsy]

I partly agree. I think he didn't support an individual mandate, but the only way anything was going to get passed in congress, was with one.

I notice how those few Obama amigos above barely managed to squeeze some squeaks when confronted with your OP!

Edited October 29, 2012 by betsy

[GostHacked]

Whatever you say fanboy.

You gonna get the Romney 'R' tattooed on your face as well?? Might as well, fanboi <-- proper l33t spelling.

[Shady]

I notice how those few Obama amigos above barely managed to squeeze some squeaks when confronted with your OP!

Exactly. It's just been a litany of personal attacks against me. When they're confronted with the flip-flopping truth, they have no defense.

[Shady]

You gonna get the Romney 'R' tattooed on your face as well?? Might as well, fanboi <-- proper l33t spelling.

Maybe on my arm, but I'll probably just settle on a t-shirt.

[BubberMiley]

I notice how those few Obama amigos above barely managed to squeeze some squeaks when confronted with your OP!

I notice how those you didn't even manage to squeeze some squeaks when asked to cite where your claim that Obama apologized about the Youtube video in Libya. Unfortunately for you my Saviour Jesus Christ does not forget those who bear false witness.

[GostHacked]

Maybe on my arm, but I'll probably just settle on a t-shirt.

Image over substance always gets you top quality in leadership.

[betsy]

Can I add this to the phenomenon called, Evolving Obama?

"Trust matters"

The president’s rally in Cleveland, Ohio yesterday had a few interesting lines during his speech. From saying how Romney is mentally defective with "Romnesia" to showing how “trust” is a key issue in this race, one must ask – has the president forgotten about Benghazi? A foreign policy disaster that ended with the assassination of a U.S. Ambassador, the first time in thirty-three years, which some in the media has been reluctant to talk about.

And yet, CNN ran the soundbite several times of Obama saying "trust matters" -- at the same time it's become clear that the administration abused the public trust by insisting there was "no evidence" of a pre-planned attack.

THE PRESIDENT: So now, in the closing moments of the election, Governor Romney is hoping you, too, will come down with a severe case of Romnesia.

AUDIENCE: No!

THE PRESIDENT: So I’m here to tell you, Cleveland, if you start feeling a temperature, if you’re eyes are getting a little blurry and your hearing is getting a little muffled, if you’re feeling a little weak, you need to know that whatever the symptoms are, don’t worry, Obamacare covers preexisting conditions. (Applause.) We can fix you up. We can make you well. There’s a cure, Ohio, you just have to make sure to vote. (Applause.) 
 


AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years! Four more years!

THE PRESIDENT: Look, we joke about Romnesia, but it’s not funny because it speaks to something serious. It has to do with trust.

There’s no more serious issue in a presidential campaign than trust. Trust matters. You know what, Ohio, after all these years you now know me. You know that I mean what I say and I say what I mean.

Read more:

http://newsbusters.org/blogs/matt-vespa/2012/10/26/obama-said-trust-matters-he-never-flip-flops#ixzz2Ail3gRRH

Obama Knew Terrorists Ran Benghazi, Hired Local Security Anyway

Today, the Libyan government announced that it had discovered the identity of the terrorist behind the attack on the American consulate in Benghazi, Libya, resulting in the death of Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans. According to a senior Libyan official, the FBI has seen a cellphone picture of the mastermind: Ahmed Abu Khattala, leader of the Abu Obeida brigade. That brigade was an element of the rebel forces allied against then-dictator Muammar Qaddafi.

Back in July 2011, Abu Obeida was responsible for the murder of Gen. Abdul Fatah Younis, Qaddafi’s former interior minister who had joined up with the rebellion. The group was headquartered in Benghazi.

Here’s where the story becomes shocking: as early as July 2011, the media was reporting that Abu Obeida was responsible for all security in Benghazi. On July 31, 2011, the Sunday Telegraph (UK) reported:

So secretive is the brigade - said to be one of at least 30 semi-independent militias operating in the east of the country - that until yesterday few in the rebel capital had heard of it.

The fact that it takes its name from one of the Prophet Mohammed's most successful military commanders is an indication of its Islamist bent, observers say. Unlike the other militias, the Brigade seems to exercise considerable power within the rebel movement. Since Gen Younes's death, it has emerged that the group was in charge of internal security in Benghazi, essentially operating as a secret police force.

You read that correctly. In July 2011, more than a year before the murder of our ambassador by Abu Obeida in Benghazi, Libya, the press reported that Abu Obeida was “in charge of internal security in Benghazi, essentially operating as a secret police force.”

And yet the Obama administration chose not only to turn down repeated requests for additional security from diplomatic posts in Libya, it recruited security for our ambassador from the local Benghazi population. As Jake Tapper reported, “a local Libyan security brigade in Benghazi consisted mostly of merchants and shopkeepers, and had not received pay in months.” Eric Nordstrom, Regional Security Officer at the State Department, said he had no idea if they would respond to an attack.

http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Peace/2012/10/18/Benghazi-controlled-by-terrorist-group-that-killed-ambassador

Below is detailed exclusive report:

EXCLUSIVE: CIA operators were denied request for help during Benghazi attack, sources say

By Jennifer Griffin

Published October 26, 2012

FoxNews.com

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/10/26/cia-operators-were-denied-request-for-help-during-benghazi-attack-sources-say/

[punked]

Yha trust matters want to pop over the Jeep thread and join in?

BTW Betsey all of your points have been debunked in the Libya thread so maybe catch up or stop lying and misleading. TRUST MATTERS so maybe you shouldn't misled.

Edited October 29, 2012 by punked

[GostHacked]

Yha trust matters want to pop over the Jeep thread and join in?

BTW Betsey all of your points have been debunked in the Libya thread so maybe catch up or stop lying and misleading. TRUST MATTERS so maybe you shouldn't misled.

The fact is was a CIA outpost shows that both Obama and Romney don't know SFA when it came to this attack on Benghazi. There simply was NO CONSULATE in Benghazi. Obama and Romney can BOTH stop lying about events that took place.

[BC_chick]

Once on a trip to Italy we took a 3 day road trip and tried to pack in as much as possible. At times, we literally pulled over for 5 minutes and took some pics and left. I was joking that my camera needs to capture the time of day as well as the date.

That trip kind of reminds me of Romney's flip-flops. Unlike a real evolution in ideas which take years or decades (heck, I've evolved as well on some issues), you have to read the news on a daily basis to see where Romney stands on an issue. You'll notice that Obama hasn't done anything of the sort, even in the examples you gave.

That's the problem for Romney, Shady. It's not that he changed his opinion, it's that he did it on a daily basis. Which means he has no values, he just wants to say anything that will get him elected.