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In particular, how can you tell whether someone has flip-flopped as opposed to, say, learned new information and legitimately modified their opinion as a result?
It may be difficult to determine because we don't have insight into their understanding, but most of the issues that fall within the scope of the political spectrum in the US aren't really hinging on "new information," its just the same emotional drama re-hashed over and over again.
Flip-flopping is a term used to describe someone who changes their political position in order to placate to a certain voting bloc, usually right around election time (like when Obama and Clinton went to Ohio and attacked NAFTA.)
There are so many examples with McCain that I wouldn't feel right just listing a few.
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They're a socially conservative party without a doubt.
I object to the labeling terms used here.
Conservatism stands for a smaller government and reduced governmental interference in the private lives of citizens. Almost all of the so-called "socially conservative" positions call for larger government and increased interference in the private lives of citizens. This is quiet the opposite of being "conservative."
I think what they mean here is not conservative but
conventional (i.e. old and Christian.)
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Did you vote during the last election? The one before that? Do you feel you and your party have to coincide on every issue? I didn't agree with every position held by Obama or Clinton, but I agreed with them more than McCain, for example.
Typically I will vote third party and did in many instances last election. Libertarians are alright but neglect domestic social issues and aren't involved enough with foreign aid. I like the Green Party more (it's not a marijuana or environmentally-based party.) The problem with these parties is that they produce terrible candidates that not even the party supporters want to vote for.
Lets face it, there are no more fiscal conservatives. If the choice is between someone who will waste money on domestic issues such as healthcare compared to someone who will waste money on foreign wars and corruption, the choice is fairly easy. I voted Obama. I'm actually pretty happy with what Obama says, but its dissapointing to see the Senate prevent any progress from being made. Why do we have a Senate again? Oh yah, its easier to bribe 100 people than 400+.
McCain also painted himself as that senile crazy old guy who sometimes said inappropriate things but didn't really understand much of what was going on during the election. Watching Palin flounder during the interviews and the debate was mildly amusing but potentially horrifying as well.