Hey, good series on Flip Flops

[renie408]

This is a series that looks at different candidates Flip Flops and tries to put them into context. This particular article is about Edwards.

http://slate.msn.com/id/2088208/

I read it and found that the flip flops attributed to Edwards are pretty easily lived with, especially when viewed in context.

[renie408]

1. Here's Dean...

http://slate.msn.com/id/2088207/

[dsc]

5. Given what the author is purporting to do here

this is very misleading.

Context: Dean's denial that he flip-flopped rests on a highly technical interpretation of the word "favor." He described what was necessary to balance the budget in 1995—and what he would "entertain" in 2005—but never said he would "favor" such measures. He also says that his 1995 remarks were about balancing the budget and that he can achieve this goal by repealing Bush's tax cuts, raising the income ceiling on the payroll tax, and restraining increases in Medicaid and defense spending—thereby avoiding the need to raise the retirement age.

I have looked at two of these so far (Dean's and Edward's). In Edward's context part he is directly quoted. Dean isn't. And they get Dean's context wrong. Dean admitted to having mispoke to Kucinich's charge in regards to the age 68 issue. He didn't try to say he didn't favor that. He did, as most normal people would, draw a distiction between entertaining something and favoring it. If they are going to do this they need to be accurate. I am not a journalist. I have a full time job. I knew this and it is inexcusable that this journalist didn't.

[renie408]

2. And here's Carol Mosely Braun

http://slate.msn.com/id/2088150/

[chimpymustgo]

3. Really mild stuff on Edwards.

As has been pointed out, Edwards isn't making any mistakes - so far. Hope he keeps up his great, positive campaign.

[renie408]

4. That's what I thought, too

I thought that the Edwards stuff seemed pretty tame and so did the Braun stuff.

[sandnsea]

6. Very little baggage

And you're right, he isn't making mistakes and doesn't make himself a target. He's consistent and cool as a cucumber. The only thing that will ever hurt him is 'trial lawyer' and I don't think any Democrat is going to throw that at him. He's lookin' real good.

[renie408]

7. And Bush can't really throw it at him, either

Becuase he can just say, "Yeah, I made it all the way through school."

He's a good guy and a good candidate and not just because he is cute. He has smart ideas and a real passion for people. When you hear him speak, he just feels so sincere.