I now know why Romney chose Ryan as his running mate (this sounds like a tongue-twister). No matter what he does or says or how he contradicts himself, he still looks like a genius and a charmer by Ryan’s side. Of course, this strategy backfired for McCain in 2008.
I’m not against politicians changing their minds or views. Frankly, a willingness to do so shows that they are open to reappraising their positions as new evidence comes in. All else equal, I’d probably be more likely to vote for someone who’s willing to adapt to new circumstances than for some stubborn nut with their fingers permanently stuck in their ears.
What I am against is flip-flopping for reasons of pandering and political gain. If the Religious Wrong didn’t exist, I think that Romney probably wouldn’t be hugely disastrous on social issues. But since those people control are the base of his party, he will have to throw them bones… like statist reactionary judges, and simply doing nothing to stop their agenda.
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“I’m not against politicians changing their minds or views. Frankly, a willingness to do so shows that they are open to reappraising their positions as new evidence comes in. ”
– I agree completely. But there should be a stage between the 2 opposing opinions when a politician says, “Look, I used to believe this but now new evidence has come to light which is why I now believe that. . .” Here, we just see somebody who will say whatever will bring him power.
“If the Religious Wrong didn’t exist, I think that Romney probably wouldn’t be hugely disastrous on social issues. But since those people control are the base of his party, he will have to throw them bones…”
– Exactly.
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“But there should be a stage between the 2 opposing opinions when a politician says, ‘Look, I used to believe this but now new evidence has come to light which is why I now believe that. . .’”
Absolutely.
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A conservative literary critic and college professor
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