McCain Claims That Anyone Who Says He’s Flip-Flopped Is ‘Drinking The Kool-Aid’

[Ichingcarpenter]

In an AP article on how Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) is supposedly a “rebel with a cause” who “chases the presidency,” former Republican Sen. Lincoln Chafee (RI) said McCain “compromised his credibility” by shifting his position on issues in order to reach out to the right. Former Nebraska Sen. Bob Kerrey (D-NE) agrees, saying that “he appears to be something different than what he was.”

But McCain dismisses any claims that he’s changed positions, telling the AP “in all due respect” that his former colleagues are “drinking the Kool-Aid“:

McCain bats away that notion.

“In all due respect to my colleagues,” he says, “They’re drinking the Kool-Aid that somehow I have changed positions on the issues. All I can say is that we all grow. We all grow wiser. And we all refine our positions.”

McCain points to his support for the surge in troops to Iraq, far from popular at its inception last year, as evidence he’s unafraid to swim against the tide.

McCain’s claim stretches all credibility. As Steve Benen has documented, McCain has flip-flopped at least 74 times over the years.

While some of his shifts may be an attempt to “grow” and “refine” his positions, many of his flip-flops were calculated moves to “placate the GOP right” in the course of his run for president:>>>>snip

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/08/22/mccain-flip-kool-aid/

[Neshanic]

1. He's so all over he shoud be called "Gumby"

[skooooo]

2. Bet he's never drank a glass of real kool-aid in his life.

[baldguy]

3. I guess being in violation of McCAIN-Feingold is part of his long-term goals?

[marylanddem]

4. McCain has an oddly-shaped body. Short arms.

Troll-like