Are politicians (and voters) not allowed to change their opinions?

Question

I see many posts here quoting what politicians said 10, 5, 2, years ago. Does the voting public really expect their leaders not to admit they were wrong?
I am referring specifically to some Democrats' support for the war. After 4 years of unnecessary loss of life, bungling and mismanagement, does the voting public expect their Representatives and/or Senators to 'stay the course'?
Don't circumstances now, demand a 'change of course'?
Opinions?

Answer 1

This is one thing that constantly amazes me. We can see what stubbornness and the inability to assess a situation and change your mind has gotten us by looking at Iraq. I think politicians who are unable to change their position when it is clearly warranted are not only useless to us but dangerous as well. That's why I just smile and shake my head when these idiots call Hillary Clinton a flip-flopper. She's got the intellect and common sense to understand you don't keep pursuing a failed course of action and the guts to stand up and say so. Not only that, she has actually developed a realistic plan for dealing with Bush's debacle. I have little use for people who are so arrogant and stubborn that their egos won't let them reassess and change course when the situation calls for it. Like I said at the beginning, we've seen how well that works.

Answer 2

It takes a introspective person to admit when they've made mistakes. It will not happen with this administration.
But there have been some politicians who wisely admit this war has been nothing but the administration trying to get their way. Once they had all of the information and realized the intelligence was nothing but lies, they admitted their wrongs.
Being stubborn, in the face of so many facts does nothing but reduce credibility. It's the way a 2 y.o. behaves.

Answer 3

Opinions are one thing, but when these politicians are calling for actions based upon their facts, then no, they should be held accountable for what they said 10, 5, and 2 years ago.

Answer 4

That's what U get in an elected obliarcy like the Dems and the Repubs.It'll also be the same BS for as long those clowns are around Stay tuned!

Answer 5

No, Republican faithful have allowed the steadfast Bush to redefine "success" in Iraq from elimination of terrorism to an acceptable level of violence, from no suicide bombers to few suicide bombers. (speeches on 4/20 and 5/2). Therefore, they should allow Democrats to change their minds about their support for the war.

Answer 6

Sure, it's called flip flopping a dangerous thing in the political world. We need strong leaders who don't wimp out when they hear oppositon. A strong leader doesn't let a bunch of cry babies change their minds.

Answer 7

Trouble is, when they do, the repubs accuse them of being flip-floppers. Look at what happened to Kerry.

Answer 8

sure they can,,,both both dems and reps...but when their opinion seems to flow with the polls,,,and or happen when they are running for a higher office....ehhh,something seems fishy.....we need TERM LIMITS...will get more leaders that are in it for our country(not for self-gratification,greed and power) regardless of their political party,,,and i assure you we will all be happier/better off with what goes on in WASHINGTON

Answer 9

Only cons. seem to think that, as if they never ever changed anything in their entire lives. Just another demonstration of their hypocracy.

Answer 10

i change my mind every moment