The Day of the Dolphin
posted at 12:33 pm on February 25, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
Send to a Friend |
Share on Facebook | printer-friendly
They call him Flipper, Flipper, faster than lightning,
No-one you see, is smarter than he….
When Mitt Romney first appeared at CPAC in 2007 as a presidential candidate, a man in a dolphin costume began following him to highlight his “flip-flops” on policy. Flipper made an appearance at this year’s CPAC as well, but found himself out of a job on the first day when Romney withdrew from the presidential race. If he reads today’s Washington Post, he might find new material to extend his gig by making appearances at Barack Obama rallies instead:
Top Obama Flip-Flops
1. Special interests In January, the Obama campaign described union contributions to the campaigns of Clinton and John Edwards as “special interest” money. Obama changed his tune as he began gathering his own union endorsements. He now refers respectfully to unions as the representatives of “working people” and says he is “thrilled” by their support.
2. Public financing Obama replied “yes” in September 2007 when asked if he would agree to public financing of the presidential election if his GOP opponent did the same. Obama has now attached several conditions to such an agreement, including regulating spending by outside groups. His spokesman says the candidate never committed himself on the matter.
3. The Cuba embargo In January 2004, Obama said it was time “to end the embargo with Cuba” because it had “utterly failed in the effort to overthrow Castro.” Speaking to a Cuban American audience in Miami in August 2007, he said he would not “take off the embargo” as president because it is “an important inducement for change.”
4. Illegal immigration In a March 2004 questionnaire, Obama was asked if the government should “crack down on businesses that hire illegal immigrants.” He replied “Oppose.” In a Jan. 31, 2008, televised debate, he said that “we do have to crack down on those employers that are taking advantage of the situation.”
5. Decriminalization of marijuana While running for the U.S. Senate in January 2004, Obama told Illinois college students that he supported eliminating criminal penalties for marijuana use. In the Oct. 30, 2007, presidential debate, he joined other Democratic candidates in opposing the decriminalization of marijuana.
The Post, which does not have a byline for this article, also has a list of Hillary Clinton’s flip-flops …. but who cares at this point? The Clintons have always triangulated; it’s their main strategy in grabbing and holding power. Issuing a comprehensive list of their switchbacks could take months and more newsprint than the Post can afford.
It stings the Obama campaign more, and rightly so. Obama has made his new, non-pandering politics the central selling point for his election. This shows that Obama has no problem with adjusting his message when needed. The specifics of the changes are less interesting than the changes themselves. It also calls into question for what Obama really stands, other than platitudes about “hope” and “change”.
Mitt Romney got bounced from the campaign for changing his mind on fewer policy issues over a much longer period of time. If people thought Romney had authenticity issues, what will they make from these more recent and more numerous Obama flip-flops? Will Flipper find a new lease on life out on the campaign trail?
Cross-posted at Captain’s Quarters.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
I think a “flip flop” would properly be a change in a position to changing back. Such as, “I was for the war… now I hate it, but now that its going better I’m for it.”
I think those are mostly just “flips”
(good post though)
AbaddonsReign on February 25, 2008 at 12:38 PM
Why Ed, that was Obama in the Flipper suit…
d1carter on February 25, 2008 at 12:40 PM
Because the republican primaries were about issues. Democratic primaries are about Hope!, Change! and whoever makes more promises to more people, disregarding the the contradictions in the above named promises.
Aristotle on February 25, 2008 at 12:42 PM
It won’t change the mind, short term, of those currently living in Obamanation.
Did anyone see the press conference, I think it was Saturday, where he was being all smug and said something like “I shouldn’t be rewarding you for bad behavior” to the one reporter? My God, he came across as arrogant as I’ve ever seen W and the left has always hated Bush’s “smugness”.
MarkABinVA on February 25, 2008 at 12:42 PM
Well after all, he is the candidate of change.
Exurban Jon on February 25, 2008 at 12:43 PM
More like he made his wife wear that…out of sight, out of mind…
JetBoy on February 25, 2008 at 12:43 PM
Because the republican primaries were about issues. Democratic primaries are about Hope!, Change! and whoever makes more promises to more people, disregarding the the contradictions in the above named promises. No need for Flipper. FreeWilly on the other hand may have some job on his hands.
Aristotle on February 25, 2008 at 12:44 PM
Well, Change is his platform.
(welcome Ed)
R D on February 25, 2008 at 12:47 PM
Heh, I’ll be on the lookout for the Dolphin. In the meantime, I think the McCain campaign has a new theme song for commericals about either dem candidate—but Obamamam would work better,since he is a he.
And that’s the kind of song that you need a brain gargle to remove from your mind…its in mine now—thanks Cap’n.
/looking for Listerine
dish on February 25, 2008 at 12:47 PM
any chance we can get Obama to go windsurfing for an attack ad? Assuming of course McCain isn’t stricken with ‘I wanna be nice’ fever
Defector01 on February 25, 2008 at 12:48 PM
I think AbaddonsReign hit the nail on the head. I never got the “flip flop” label Romney got pegged with. He simply began in one place and progressed to another. This is called an evolution of ideas, not a flip flop.
Great post, Ed. I’ll miss CQ but it’s nice to see you posting in such exalted company. Allah(pundit)huh Akhbar.
Fortitudine on February 25, 2008 at 12:49 PM
It’ll matter a whole lot to us Righties, but the to the Lefties it won’t matter a lick. Obama-heat, on the left, is all that matters. He truly is their ‘Chosen One’ regardless of what he says and does.
It is the fence sitters who will decide this thing. The sooner we can set the field, the sooner we can get BHO to commit to a single side of an issue and then hammer him from there. As long as the races are dangling out there in the air the more and more smoke Obama can use to cover up
his true positions.
Limerick on February 25, 2008 at 12:49 PM
Obama is not having a good day so far. Not only his jihadi outfit, but press across a broad spectrum is starting to question the mania.
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 25, 2008 at 12:53 PM
Speaking of Flip-flops, the originator himself, John Kerry just endorsed Obama. Brave Sir Robin really went on a limb to endorse Obama when it seems like the nomination is in the bag. Profiles in Courage, indeed.
Shtetl G on February 25, 2008 at 12:58 PM
There’s something ‘fishy’ about this story.
trigon on February 25, 2008 at 12:58 PM
BO said he will now hold his hand over his heart during our National Anthem, as long as it can be his left hand.
On-my-soap-box on February 25, 2008 at 1:01 PM
I doubt it. This sort of solid, policy-based critique bounces right off of Obama’s hopenchange teflon coating.
None of Obama’s supporters have asked for policies, proposals, and principles before, and I don’t think they’ll start now.
joewm315 on February 25, 2008 at 1:05 PM
Little as I care to defend Obama against fair political criticism, or start a fight with Romneyites, these flip-flops (and, yes, in political vernacular they are simple “flip-flops,” ain’t no such thing as political “flips” but if there were they’d just be short for “flip-flops,” as opposed to the rarer “flip-flop-flips”) aren’t on what would presumably be core moral issues. Changing your mind about employer sanctions or the Cuba embargo may represent garden variety pandering, or possibly the growth pangs of a political infant, but they’re not quite the same as changing your mind about the sanctity of unborn life. My point isn’t that Romney’s morally inferior to Obama - I for one didn’t find his changes of heart totally incredible - just that sticking the flip-flopper label on Obama will take a lot more effort until and unless it hits fundamental issues. For now, this kind of thing works indirectly, contributing to negative noise about him not being what he pretends to be (if he’s anything at all). That’s a good thing for his opponents politically, reducing his credibility and raising questions, but it’s not quite the same thing as a full frontal assault on the rationale for his candidacy.
CK MacLeod on February 25, 2008 at 1:05 PM
I’ve always felt that in order to be a “flip flopper” you have to try to stay on both sides of an issue, or switch back and forth (ie there and back again). Mitt really never did that, he just “flipped” as it were.
Even here, Obama’s are more about flipping for the primary than anything. If he flips again for the general (he will) then we’ll be a flip-flopper. But not until then.
Nessuno on February 25, 2008 at 1:08 PM
Nessuno on February 25, 2008 at 1:08 PM
You can’t change your fundamental position in your late 40’s or early 50’s. That’s like admitting the first half of your life was a mistake. Maybe if your twenty-something.
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 25, 2008 at 1:15 PM
The state of this presidential campaign is pitiful. I’m still voting none of the above.
Zorro on February 25, 2008 at 1:17 PM
None of any of it really matters. The sheep don’t start paying attention until about October 25th.
SeLFMaDE on February 25, 2008 at 1:18 PM
Ah, but will this dolphin catch and eat the infidels?
ihasurnominashun on February 25, 2008 at 1:20 PM
Thanks for the post. I sure hope Obama gets to ride this dolphin!!
HotAirJosef on February 25, 2008 at 1:24 PM
In common usage, a “flip flop” only requires going from one postition to another- particularly if it comes at a politically convienent time. Flipping back to the original position is not required.
Hollowpoint on February 25, 2008 at 1:26 PM
“Mitt Romney got bounced from the campaign for changing his mind on fewer policy issues over a much longer period of time.”
I respectively disagree. That was the EXCUSE for bouncing Romney. The REAL reason was more sinister….the difficulty of electing a Mormon in a party with a significant amount of bigoted evangelicals who love their pretend exclusivity to Jesus more than their country.
Roger Waters on February 25, 2008 at 1:31 PM
“Only rubes don’t understand a nuanced/flexible mind. It’s time for change in Washigton” - - Barack Obama
Entelechy on February 25, 2008 at 1:38 PM
bigoted evangelicals who love their pretend exclusivity to Jesus more than their country.
Roger Waters on February 25, 2008 at 1:31 PM
I’m not an evangelical, but don’t you think that stereotyping a HUGE number of people across this country is, well, bigoted in itself? Gee.
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 25, 2008 at 1:39 PM
“Mitt Romney got bounced from the campaign for changing his mind on fewer policy issues over a much longer period of time.”
I respectively disagree. That was the EXCUSE for bouncing Romney. The REAL reason was more sinister….the difficulty of electing a Mormon in a party with a significant amount of bigoted evangelicals who love their pretend exclusivity to Jesus more than their country.
Roger Waters on February 25, 2008
AMEN BRO! Mr Arkansas Minister is on a mission from God: KEEP THE CULTIST OUT OF THE WHITE HOUSE
jimbo2008 on February 25, 2008 at 1:40 PM
It’s never too late to break “right”, no matter your age : )
kcd on February 25, 2008 at 1:40 PM
uh, if you read the sentence closely, you will see that I did not suggest that all or even a majority of evangelicals are bigoted. I believe I used the words “significant amount”. There is no denying that that is the case…dont you read the paper?
Roger Waters on February 25, 2008 at 1:41 PM
So that explains why Huck walked away with the nomination!!
Bigoted evangelicals??????
Pot meet kettle.
Talon on February 25, 2008 at 1:47 PM
“So that explains why Huck walked away with the nomination!!”
It explains why a buffoon RINO who wanted to give tuition breaks to illegal aliens (that legal residents couldnt have) anything other than a laugh at his candidacy.
Roger Waters on February 25, 2008 at 1:51 PM
LoL… Tell that to Romney…
liquidflorian on February 25, 2008 at 1:53 PM
Not even remotely possible that a lot of us just thought he was a weak, unconvincing candidate? Guess it’s easier for some to believe that Mitt was superman, but evil thumpers stuck a Kryptonite knife in his back.
CK MacLeod on February 25, 2008 at 1:56 PM
I see Hillary has begun the undermining of Obama. I told ya the Clintons are the best defense against Obama they wont let him have the White House.
William Amos on February 25, 2008 at 1:58 PM
You know, whenever I see these guys dressed in these same kind of stupid costumes, I keep thinking whatever they are paying them, it ain’t enough.
pilamaye on February 25, 2008 at 1:59 PM
Yeah, Mitt was weak and unconvincing.
But the guy who gave us McCain/Feingold and McCain/Kennedy and McCain/Lieberman and etc etc etc is the REAL DEAL.
Roger Waters on February 25, 2008 at 2:01 PM
If anyone here is good at photoshop, i’d almost pay a king’s ransom to see the obama picture altered. Instead of that walking stick, can someone replace it with an ak47. Pleeeeeeeeeeeaaasssse.
THE CHOSEN ONE on February 25, 2008 at 2:09 PM
I agree with William Amos. I wonder how flat the gonads are of the reporter who wrote this piece. To publish this in the middle of Obamamania must have taken some “convincing”. What? The Obamamessiah has faults?
sixpickr on February 25, 2008 at 2:09 PM
Which is unfortunate.
Esthier on February 25, 2008 at 2:13 PM
It’s not flip-flopping. It’s nuance.
I can’t say I’m surprised. And I doubt it will have much affect of the “true believers” who go to his campaign rallies.
Nethicus on February 25, 2008 at 2:23 PM
That’s funny because McCain changed from a conservative to a RINO at about age 56. Only his years in the ’80’s are keeping up that ACU rating.
Oh wait, thats an unfair attack on McCain because he was a POW in ‘Nam.
BKennedy on February 25, 2008 at 2:34 PM
We need a liberal who will be ideologically pure:
McCain ‘08!
We can always count on him to poke conservatives in the eye.
Valiant on February 25, 2008 at 3:07 PM
Did he do it on porpoise?
Mazztek on February 25, 2008 at 3:29 PM
NO SOUP FOR YOU!!!
Talon on February 25, 2008 at 5:22 PM
Day of the Dolphin,I’ve had this phrase embedded in
my mind forever “Day of the Jackal”? Anyhow!
If the media was in full re-election mode of the vaunted
Clinton War Machine of 92′ with Paul Bagela,Leone Panetta,
Carville,and the rest of the talkin points crew,on every
talk show,Hillary would be politicaly in great shape.
And add in CNN,and the rest of Liberal media they had a
three ring circus on the go,so if they focused on Obama,
he would be toast.
And Hillary has lost her steely grip on the media,and
when you think about it,didn’t the media trip over back
words for the Clintons as they are now doing with Obama!
canopfor on February 25, 2008 at 9:44 PM
oops,backwards and not backwords,sorry!
canopfor on February 25, 2008 at 9:46 PM