New McCain ad: Hey, did you know Mitt Romney’s a flip-flopper?
posted at 1:06 pm on January 28, 2008 by Allahpundit
I feel like I’ve seen this ad in 50 different incarnations already from various candidates. Yes, the guy’s changed his position a bunch. The electorate is sufficiently well aware of this fact by now for various jokes to have been cracked about it at the debates, including Maverick’s (admittedly funny) line about Romney being the candidate of change. Between this and the garbage about withdrawal timetables, you start to wonder if he’s got a substantive line of attack on Mitt coming or if this is pretty much it. Or if that’ll even matter.
The guys at the Corner have already linked John Fund’s anecdote about McCain and Alito about six times today so I won’t rehash it, but I am intrigued by Fund’s preview of Maverick at CPAC. Is there anything he could say to the faithful assembled to make them warm to his candidacy? He’s so poisoned on immigration that the smart thing to do is probably just avoid the subject entirely and hammer the war, the war, the war. And, follow-up question, will it help or hurt McCain if he’s already clinched the nomination by the time he speaks?
Blowback
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I thought the one where they photoshopped Mitt’s head over the picture of Kerry windsurfing was better.
Jeff_McAwesome on January 28, 2008 at 1:13 PM
A flip-flopping politician, not really an original observation.
Your Jewish Master on January 28, 2008 at 1:14 PM
Sorry, but that’s effective.
It wouldn’t make me run out and vote for McCain–nothing would–but it’s good and it hits home.
Knowing what a statist McCain is at heart what it does as far as I’m personally concerned is remind me why Mitt’s a poor substitute for Rudy.
But then I’m biased, just as everyone else here obviously is, to the point that our opinions–Allah’s and Bryan’s too–need to be weighed accordingly.
Typhoon on January 28, 2008 at 1:16 PM
It is an effective ad, but it’s also a case of the pot calling the kettle black. Mitt could run a very similar ad against McVain and be just as effective, if not more. McVain’s flip-flops to conservative positions have, save for Iraq, all come since he started his presidential campaign, and given some of his staffers, there’s even more reason to think he’s being disingenuous than there is with Mitt.
thirteen28 on January 28, 2008 at 1:19 PM
Flip-Flopper calls Flip-Flopper a Flip-Flopper.
Is this an election year?
fogw on January 28, 2008 at 1:20 PM
Support Mitt, and you support John Kerry carrying Bill Clinton’s dictionary and Mitt doesn’t even have the fake medals to claim although he was in France during the Vietnam War.
Chakra Hammer on January 28, 2008 at 1:21 PM
Abortion is a red-herring Democrat-trap issue. It is time to stop talking about it, we can not convince them. Republicans should just vote in the House and Senate to “hold the line”.
Romney does not approve of pro-choice, but pledged to uphold the status quo in Mass. When the Libs tried to push-it, he pushed back. There was little more to be done in Mass.
While Roe vs Wade may be in principle distasteful, it is not a pressing battle. Free abortions in the 8th month are.
What would matter to me is did Mitt’s Mass Health Care plan provide funding for abortion? Or more to the point – fund/guarantee it for everyone, regardless of health coverage. That would not be “holding the line”.
Agrippa2k on January 28, 2008 at 1:21 PM
McCain sure aint acting like he’s any kind of “got it made frontrunner” is he?
He’s acting like Mitt has taken a bit out of him starting in the debate last week, and he is resorting to what Rush himself just described as “Clintonian” tactics to bash Mitt.
But then McCain and Hillary are best of Senate buddies arent they……
Always Right on January 28, 2008 at 1:22 PM
So you think the fact that a candidate has clearly demonstrated that he has absolutely no core values and principles, that he’ll change his positions on an electoral whim (and thus the electorate can’t really even guess how he’d govern) … is NOT a substantive critique?
Interesting. We’ll have to disagree, since I think it is as substantive as you can get.
If you’re looking for attacks on the substance of Romney’s positions, well … it would help if he actually had unchanging positions on any issue.
Which is the point, of course.
Romney represents an abandonment of every conservative ideal. This ad does a fair job of making that point.
Professor Blather on January 28, 2008 at 1:24 PM
I’m not disagreeing at all. My point was though that this ad cut a little through the clutter of all such similar ads. It hits the target pretty hard.
Most people don’t follow this stuff nearly as closely as anyone here. Nearly. I think this is an ad that’ll get their attention. I’m not saying I think that’s a good thing. I’m just saying that’s my take on it.
Typhoon on January 28, 2008 at 1:24 PM
It is effective because it is true.
Romney is still competing in this election for two reasons:
1. He decided to become a flip flopper on issues – that is to lie
2. He has used his own money, well over $20,0000,000 of his own money for media and expenses.
He is determined to win the presidency at any cost…He is Hillary Clinton in mens suit
georgealbert on January 28, 2008 at 1:28 PM
McCain The Pain has flip-flopped on so many issues in the past, it’s a wonder no one has named a pancake recipe after him!
pilamaye on January 28, 2008 at 1:29 PM
My Trust meter of remaining candidates..
1. Rudy gets the most of my trust
2. Probably Ron Paul believe it or not.(I do not agree with him, but I believe he’s honest)
3. Huckabee(Tied)
4. McCain(Tied)
5. Obama
6. Mitt
Chakra Hammer on January 28, 2008 at 1:30 PM
Fixed that for you.
HebrewToYou on January 28, 2008 at 1:30 PM
McCain sounds more like a Clintonian tool than a candidate these last few weeks.
How much play is this getting on MSM? Anyone know?
( I don’t watch it at all)
Anything on Soros? Hernandez? Calling McCain’s BS, BS?
shooter on January 28, 2008 at 1:30 PM
The problem is, a president really only has so much power over directing policy on abortion and guns. Their influence on the former is limited to which judges they pick (which is pretty well contained by popular opinion). On the latter, there’s a strong enough gun lobby and visceral feeling amongst conservatives that no significant policy shift should make it through (as demonstrated by our new-found power post-immigration debacle).
askheaves on January 28, 2008 at 1:31 PM
I think you made a bad turn somewhere and landed on the wrong web site.
shooter on January 28, 2008 at 1:32 PM
That is a “Trust Meter” NOT a Vote Meter..
Chakra Hammer on January 28, 2008 at 1:33 PM
My Vote voes to Rudy…
If he’s NOT nominated..
I always vote straight (R)
Unless it’s Mitt, then I cannot vote for for president, but I will vote Straight (R) for the Senate and House seats.
I cannot in good conscience vote for a known liar.
Chakra Hammer on January 28, 2008 at 1:35 PM
As for guns. An M16 is a “rifle” not a “machine gun”. Hunting with them is not odd unless you just hate guns. The same with the M4 “carbine”, even the Uzi.
The caliber of ammunition and rate of fire are the clarifying specifications. Something like an M60 with a ridiculous rate of fire and very high caliber ammo is another thing.
When the purpose of the Second Amendment is citizen defense, weapons like these are logical because of the likely threat.
Now when the Zombie Apocalypse starts I may reconsider the M60.
Agrippa2k on January 28, 2008 at 1:36 PM
My Vote goes* to Rudy…
Chakra Hammer on January 28, 2008 at 1:36 PM
McCain calling someone else a flip-flopper? Wow.
Look: Mitt has changed some positions. He acknowledges that. Huck and McCain both DENY they have changed, when clearly they have. McCain himself has argued for benchmarks in the war on Iraq. McCain claims it’s not amnesty when it is.
The man is a liar. A bald faced liar, on the scale of Clinton.
Vanceone on January 28, 2008 at 1:38 PM
To admit to changing views vs denying that you have changed your views, when the facts say otherwise has more political relevance. Who is guilty of the latter?
captivated_dem on January 28, 2008 at 1:38 PM
At this point… Mitt could show up in a dress, and singing the French National Anthem, while juggling copies of The Communist Manifesto, and I’d still vote for him over McVain.
Does this finally prove that I totally and utterly despise Juan McShamnesty?
tickleddragon on January 28, 2008 at 1:39 PM
Well, like the liar he is, McLiar,liar,pantsonfire, uses some truth mixed in with tons of lies.
csdeven on January 28, 2008 at 1:42 PM
Mitt changed his position once on abortion. It’s something I think everyone has the right to do. I used to be pro-choice until someone explained what late term abortion is, that changed my mind. I don;t see him going back and forth.
McCain is a traitor to his country for what he is trying to do with the borders against the peoples will.
Do you hear me Mr. Open Borders McShamnesty?
Geronimo on January 28, 2008 at 1:46 PM
People’s positions change. That is reality. In politics it is called flip-flopping and everyone does it to a degree.
The only relavent point is what the candidates say their positions are currently, whether they will act on them as stated and whether we believe them.
Romney wins big over McCain imho.
awake on January 28, 2008 at 1:47 PM
How is it in this upside down, head-up-their arses world we live in that so many criticize Romney for putting HIS OWN money into a campaign? What, special interest bought and paid for candidates are the way to go? Are you claiming that the Romney fortune was ill-gotten? (Sorry, er ah… that’s another Massachusetts family that begins with K).
I’m a 42 year old conservative. I was a 21 year old uber-liberal once… and then a 35 year old “moderate.” I guess I’ve flip flopped myself, huh?
Good grief. Who do you trust to run the country the most conservatively? If you think that’s McCain, I respectfully disagree. I’m going with Romney.
Sugar Land on January 28, 2008 at 1:48 PM
I can’t wait until the Florida primary is over so we don’t have to hear about Huck and Rudy anymore and now that McCranky didn’t get Teddy “The Fat Sot” Kennedy’s endorsement maybe he’ll blow a gasket and drop out too.
Buttercup on January 28, 2008 at 1:49 PM
Have So-con’s have turned into “SO-WHAT!” hypocrites for power.
Since when has it become acceptable for a Republican Presidential Candidate to be a pathological liar?
Yoda says, “Sold out to DarkSide, Soc-Con’s have, Quest for for Power they seek… Lose their souls they may… Hmm mmmm”
Chakra Hammer on January 28, 2008 at 1:50 PM
I went over to DU and a couple of other liberal sites to gauge the temperature of the opposition and was surprised by more than a few folk’s take on Hill and McCain.
Like here there is profound animosity towards their leading candidate (Hillary); To the point that many of the comments break down in to two camps: 1) Those that will stay home if Hillary is the nominee, and 2) Those that will vote for McCain rather than Hillary.
Sound familiar?
BacaDog on January 28, 2008 at 1:51 PM
McCain = Jedi mind tricks.
Geronimo on January 28, 2008 at 1:52 PM
It’s called “flip-flop” and has 2 words in it for a reason. It implies changing your mind, then changing it back at least once. The term demonstrates a lack of character or guiding principles in that the person oscillates between positions based on external conditions.
Changing your mind once is not “flip-flopping”.
Also, this all looks great for my Rudy, but more importantly, it looks like a dick-maneuver on John’s part. I only voted for him in AZ because he was running against an avowed Socialist.
askheaves on January 28, 2008 at 1:54 PM
There’s so many flip flops here, I think I’m on the beach…I wish I was..(wasted away again in Margaritaville)
kcd on January 28, 2008 at 1:54 PM
LOL. And so it goes.
captivated_dem on January 28, 2008 at 1:55 PM
So, you think socons only have one issue? Many socons are VERY concerned with the agenda that McShamnesty will foist on us if he is elected. Hence, Mitt in a dress is less of a concern than McLiar is.
csdeven on January 28, 2008 at 1:56 PM
I am kind of disappointed in Juan McLame, with all his new friends im surprised this ad isn’t in Spanglish.
thank you Juan you just gave me more reasons to give another 25 to Mitt.
Mojack420 on January 28, 2008 at 1:56 PM
OMG! Maybe Hill & John should trade places, that would shake things up, huh!
kcd on January 28, 2008 at 1:56 PM
Willard Mitt Romney = Soc-Con Artist
Chakra Hammer on January 28, 2008 at 1:58 PM
Would anyone even notice?
BacaDog on January 28, 2008 at 1:58 PM
I consider myself one, and honesty should rank VERY high up there after all lying IS a Sin.
Chakra Hammer on January 28, 2008 at 2:00 PM
“If you are not a liberal when you are young, you have no heart. If you are not a conservative when you are grown, you have no brain”.
kcd on January 28, 2008 at 2:02 PM
Better take a bath! LOL
I have only been to DU once to see what it was and Kos once to see what it was, I was a longtime member of FR before MOST of the Rudy supporters got banned about a year ago.
Chakra Hammer on January 28, 2008 at 2:03 PM
HAAA!!! HHHAAAA!!! Not me..
kcd on January 28, 2008 at 2:03 PM
Yeah…. if McCain and Hillary changed parties, would anyone notice anymore?
Vanceone on January 28, 2008 at 2:04 PM
I think it’s unfortunate that McCain, not exactly a conservative himself, has to dig years back into Romney’s history to accuse him of flip flopping. Most his references are in the 1990′s.
Isn’t Conservativism about change? Don’t we want people to evolve and change their minds for the better? I don’t understand how anyone can condemn Romney for improving his moral stance on abortion. Would McCain rather Romney had a pro-choice platform? I don’t.
I’d rather have someone in the White House who can admit they were wrong and change their position to a better one than to stay with bad beliefs and practices.
Amy Proctor on January 28, 2008 at 2:04 PM
Yoda quotes and trust meters? And you expect to be taken seriously in your utterly blind support for the most liberal of the legitimate primary candidates? Not bloody likely- primarily because you filter all the social issues through a lens that shows you utterly despise anybody that isn’t frothing at the mouth leftist as you and Rudy when it comes to areas where social conservatives utterly disagree with for reasons of values and morality.
Pathalogical liar has a medical definition. I’d be interested to know how you come up with your “diagnosis.” If it boils down to evolving positions on issues, your candidate is far closer to the definition because of the way he lies about his record in NYC. Yes, he cleaned up crime and did a good job after the 9/11/01 atrocities. He also is against the 2nd Amendment, wants to legitimize gay marriage (not civil unions), and granted sanctuary to illegal aliens by prohibiting local law enforcement to help in identifying the criminals. I don’t want such a liar as President and neither should you! Or, to put it in terminology you might better understand.
“Liar and liberal, Rudy is.”
highhopes on January 28, 2008 at 2:05 PM
OMG! Are you o.k.? Do you need medical attention? I did that once…I almost had a nervous breakdown.
kcd on January 28, 2008 at 2:05 PM
7.62 NATO (dimensionally equivalent to the popular .308 Winchester) is “very high caliber”? For a machinegun, the rate of fire on an M60 really isn’t all that high, either.
Hollowpoint on January 28, 2008 at 2:11 PM
1. I have been a hunter pretty much all my life(NOT TRUE)
2. I saw my father marching with MLK(NOT TRUE)
3. I Myself Marched with MLK(NOT TRUE)
4. I had the endorsement of the NRA(NOT TRUE)
5. I lowered Taxes in Massachusetts, Not True Taxes went up over 8%
————-
Anyone who doesn’t take truth seriously in small matters cannot be trusted in large ones either.
–Albert Einstein
___________________________
Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with important matters.
–Albert Einstein
Chakra Hammer on January 28, 2008 at 2:12 PM
I was skimming the comments and broke out in laughter reading the first half of that. Well put.
Spirit of 1776 on January 28, 2008 at 2:12 PM
WTF? Which “positions” do all of you keep talking about? I only know of one- abortion.
McCain has changed his mind about free speech, immigration (now he suddenly believes in attrition through enforcement) and withdrawing from Iraq. I have YET TO SEE a detailed list of all these “positions” Romney’s changed a bunch on.
The MSM has really brainwashed you guys. I’m disappointed. Say it enough and it’s true I guess.
NTWR on January 28, 2008 at 2:19 PM
All that comes to mind is something about a pot calling a kettle something….
Luckedout on January 28, 2008 at 2:21 PM
Nah, I’m ok. It was actually kind of fun seeing them turn on each other for a change.
Righteous anger turned inward. Whoa!
BacaDog on January 28, 2008 at 2:22 PM
Awesome! Maybe I’ll take a xanex and risk another peek…
kcd on January 28, 2008 at 2:25 PM
FYI, the bible said it first
Unless you are faithful in small matters, you won’t be faithful in large ones. – Luke 16:10 NLT
And although I can see your problem with Romney, I don’t see why you think McCain is better.
Darksbane on January 28, 2008 at 2:37 PM
Or for that matter Rudy, who cheated on various wives many times…
Darksbane on January 28, 2008 at 2:39 PM
So somebody becomes a “pathological liar” for saying he hunts, supports civil rights, and is in favor of lower taxes? Your pathological HATRED of Mitt is so deep that there is no point in showing that your “not trues” have at least in some part been refuted by the Romney campaign while the lies I pointed out that Rudy has been spinning are indisputable cases of flip-flopping.
The candidates are human beings and make mistakes, change opinions, and otherwise show human-like behavior. Your irrational behavior is tinged with utter paranoia.
So what do you do after tomorrow when your candidate is out of the running and you still have all that hatred against one of the two frontrunners? I’d suggest that you should take a breather and look at the candidates in a more healthy way. Right now, you are so full of hatred for Romney, your views have no value. In your narrow little world, Romney is pure evil and Rudy is Christ returned to earth. It’s never a good idea to choose a candidate based on your hatred instead of taking a more objective look at the pros and cons attached to any human being.
highhopes on January 28, 2008 at 2:41 PM
highhopes, did you also defend Bill Clinton?
Chakra Hammer on January 28, 2008 at 2:44 PM
Well, except for Hillary.
BacaDog on January 28, 2008 at 2:46 PM
If you didn’t not defend Bill Clinton for his “lie”, defend John kerry for his Flip-Flops..
What does make you for defending Mitt?
Yoda says, “hmm mmm, hypocrites rampant it “is” if you will.. mmmhhh”
because I know you fellas love the Yoda.
Chakra Hammer on January 28, 2008 at 2:51 PM
Thanks, Hon! I thought it appropriate. :)
And Chakra, don’t bother trying to insult me, I’m immune to your nonsense. Period.
tickleddragon on January 28, 2008 at 2:56 PM
Chakra Hammer is a Rudy Troll. I don’t remember him before the elections and I’m sure will be seeing him, Jayhaw Phrenzie, Harald, and the other Huckatrolls vanish into thin air on November 12th, 2008, if not earlier.
BKennedy on January 28, 2008 at 2:57 PM
BKennedy on January 28, 2008 at 2:57 PM
Sure hope Hardy Har Har is in that bunch.
kcd on January 28, 2008 at 3:21 PM
Hey BKennedy make yourself a drink, and chill out…
This video is so ridiculous, Romney has no soul. For once I agree with Barney Frank.
FLcapitalistthug on January 28, 2008 at 4:46 PM
Defend Clinton in what way? He is directly responsible for crushing/incinerating over 3,000 Americans because he didn’t take the issue of terrorism and securing the borders seriously. Clinton squandered the so-called peace dividend from the end of the war and made it that much more difficult for our troops to respond in Afghanistan and Iraq. Clinton’s administration was the most corrupt in modern history (and I included Nixon’s bad stewardship in that assessment). Clinton did much to create the toxic partisan atmosphere that exists in politics these days. I CAN’T DEFEND ANY OF THAT AND NO AMERICAN SHOULD!
If what you were getting out is Clinton’s infidelity, that really wasn’t a public issue until the bastard committed perjury, was it? I can’t defend infidelity but certainly wasn’t concerned until it came out that he lied to the American public for over a year.
The same holds true in ’08. I expect and demand honesty in and consistency in politicians’ positions. If there is a change, it needs to be explained the hows and whys. Rudy is nothing but a liar who can’t be trusted to tell the truth anymore than Bill Clinton. He is unfit for office. It really is that simple an issue from my perspective.
highhopes on January 28, 2008 at 4:49 PM
Liberal Republican flip-floppers at war with each other. It is really sad to see this. Their petards are blowing up in their pathetic faces. Obama/Hillary/McShamnesty/Romney keep chugging along with the moronic voters/voyeurs thinking it’s some kind of a game/entertainment…
nottakingsides on January 28, 2008 at 6:34 PM
Wow. That ad is REALLY ineffective. If anything it helps Romney drive home the point that his positions have matured over the years as they are constantly cutting back and forth between images of young Romney and mature Romney.
It just illustrates Romney’s response that he has changed over the years.
On the other hand John McCain was NEVEr in favor of amnesty and he has ALWAYS been in favor of the Bush Tax Cuts. LOL>
joncoltonis on January 28, 2008 at 7:09 PM
Actually, given the time stamps on his comments, it represents a conversion to every conservative ideal.
In those quote from 1994 and 2002, Romney was running for office. He lost the first time, and won the second.
In the process of governing, he claims he saw the light, and gave concrete examples (Massachusetts courts re gay marriage, the stem cell lobby re life v. choice).
Don’t we want people who became MORE conservative than their original positions, when the time came to act?
sulla on January 28, 2008 at 7:59 PM
Sorry…it is the truth about this guy. Remember he was Gov. of Mass….how conservative could he have been to win that job. Nominate him, and we have rewarded someone who is not authentic…just looking for an opportunity. When George Allen lost his Senate seat and his mind calling that Indian kid that name…there was a opening for a conservative candidate and suddenly Romney was conservative. Please….at least Huck and Rudy are honest about their beliefs and McCain has been consistent in doing what he thinks is right.
arizonateacher on January 28, 2008 at 9:55 PM
Did MCCAIN just attack someone for not being a perfect Republican?
Did Mr. Vice President really do that?
amkun on January 28, 2008 at 10:25 PM
No actually he promised he would govern a certain way, and then broke his promises. Many times he has flipped one way to get elected and then flops midway. Just on the abortion issue he is flat-out pathetic and even his explanations were contradicting and bordering on lies.
I only trust that he will continue the pattern as POTUS and will be shoving entitlements/amnesty/socialized medicine/lib judges/etc.. on us or at the very least not working for conservative values (even though he “personally opposes them” or something to that effect). He is an appeaser and a panderer with no backbone other than a drive to get elected…..IMHO of course. So basically I don’t believe a word he says.
nottakingsides on January 28, 2008 at 11:47 PM