New Repulic Says Bush The Real Flip Flopper

In this month’s New Republic, Jonathan Chait follows the evolution of the "flip-flop" in this year’s presidential campaign. Analyzing 37 Kerry "flip-flops" listed on the Bush campaign website, Chait concludes only six are "legitimate reversals" ? meaning, "an attempt to abandon a politically unpopular stance." By this count, Chait writes, "defining flipflopping as the essence of Kerry’s nature is ridiculous." Chait compares Kerry’s list of flip-flops to "those of noted Man of Principle George W. Bush," based on a list compiled by American Progress. Of the 30 flip-flops we list on our site, according to Chait, "13 are indisputable reversals." Chait writes, "You could debate which man has flip-flopped more. But one thing is clear: If a stranger unfamiliar with the campaign examined the two men’s records, he would never conclude that Kerry is a serial flip-flopper and Bush is the embodiment of inconsistency."