Flip Flop? Obama Acknowledges ‘Shift in Emphasis’
EmailABC News’ Jennifer Parker Reports: Sen. Barack Obama acknowledged Tuesday that he has made a "shift in emphasis" on some issues during his campaign but argues Sen. John McCain’s reversals are much more severe.
In an attempt to broaden his appeal before the general election, Obama raised reversed an earlier pledge and voting in the Senate to give legal immunity to phone companies that took part in warrantless wiretapping after the Sept. 11 attacks — a move that raised the ire of his liberal allies.
It was the latest in a series of perceived shifts in policy Obama has taken on issues that range from gun control, the death penalty, and his newly voiced support for President Bush’s faith-based programs giving taxpayer money to religious groups.
Asked during an interview with PBS’s Gwen Ifill about his position on wiretapping legislation and his support for the Supreme Court decision striking down the District of Columbia’s handgun ban, Obama initially argued there hasn’t been any "wild shifts" in his public policy positions.
"I do think that this notion that somehow we’ve had wild shifts in my positions is simply inaccurate," Obama told Ifill in an interview that will air tonight on the Newshour with Jim Lehrer. "You mentioned the gun position. I’ve been talking about the Second Amendment being an individual right for the last year and a half. So there wasn’t a shift there."
But when Ifill pressed Obama on his refusal to accept public financing that would limit spending during the presidential campaign, despite his earlier promise to take public financing, the presumptive Democratic nominee said, "Well, campaign finance, there’s no doubt that that was a shift in recognizing that we could not broker a deal with the Republicans that would prevent the Republican National Committee or the Republican Governors Association or all these other organizations, that are already spending millions of dollars against us, that we could not contain them within a public financing system."
"So the broader point, Gwen, is if you compare sort of my shift in emphasis on issues that I’ve been proposing for years, like say, faith-based initiatives, which have raised questions in the press, if you compare that to John McCain … if you compare that to John McCain’s complete reversal on oil drilling, complete reversal on George Bush’s tax cuts, complete reversal on immigration where he said he wouldn’t even vote for his own bill, that I think is a pretty hard case to make that somehow I’ve been shifting substantially relative to John McCain," Obama said.
The Republican Party reacted Tuesday, blasting Obama in an emailed statement sent to reporters.
“Who is Barack Obama kidding? Obama’s excuses for breaking his promise on public financing defy honesty and reality. Obama should drop the pretenses and admit what everyone knows: He abandoned his principles in order to gain a political advantage,” said Republican National Committee Alex Conant.
ABC News’ George Sanchez contributed to this report.
Mitt Romney's Full Speech at CPAC 2012 
Romney Makes His Case to Conservatives at CPAC
This guys ability to sell you snake oil is amazing… I think he believes his own rhetoric
Posted by: Nick | July 15, 2008, 4:03 pm 4:03 pm
Nick wants more of the same
Posted by: The IN-famous El Guapo | July 15, 2008, 4:05 pm 4:05 pm
I think the media has been giving McCain a pass on his flipflops and gaffes to try and keep alive some semblance of an exciting race.
McCain is just such a bad choice he is out of date and out of touch. T
Posted by: Citizen Voter | July 15, 2008, 4:12 pm 4:12 pm
He can only sell you the snake oil if YOU believe his rhetoric! He pretends that he couldn’t accept public financing because only Republican organizations would be advertising. He knows that the Democrats would be doing the same thing but no one challenges that disingenuous and deliberately misleading assertion. People need to start ignoring that “thrill that runs up their leg” when he speaks and start paying attention to what he is saying,
Posted by: Charlie35 | July 15, 2008, 4:14 pm 4:14 pm
Last week Mccain said no extra troops needed in Afghanistan. Today after Obama speech calling for extra brigades there…..guess.
Now McGoo is calling for more troops because “I know how to win wars”
Posted by: watching | July 15, 2008, 4:20 pm 4:20 pm
Obama is the biggest distraction to HIMSELF!
Posted by: HP Boston | July 15, 2008, 4:30 pm 4:30 pm
The man loves to whine and point finger at others if things go wrong with him and he is caught treading the wrong steps.
Posted by: Rachel | July 15, 2008, 4:32 pm 4:32 pm
I agree rachel, McCain is a classic republican, never take responsibility for his mistakes and blames others. Just look at how many shakeups he has in his campaign. And why, because he won’t listen to any of his advisors and goes off on wild tangents, then when they don’t work out, he fires his advisors. Classic republican, blame everybody but himself.
Posted by: JR | July 15, 2008, 4:43 pm 4:43 pm
since when did a “shift in emphasis” become a flip-flop?
this is stupid
Posted by: dl | July 15, 2008, 4:47 pm 4:47 pm
JR, you got it all wrong. I was talking about the smart and intelligent candidate.
Posted by: Rachel | July 15, 2008, 4:53 pm 4:53 pm
Obama – flip-flop, flip-flop, flip-flop. Can’t he maintain a position on anything? Apparently not yet, his lemmings follow merrily along maintaining that his different positions are really the same thing.
Funny, even the NY times and virtually every other media outlet recognizes his every changing positions. Only the lemmings refuse to see.
Posted by: Aston | July 15, 2008, 4:56 pm 4:56 pm
Obama’s speeches are full of hypocrosies and sometimes lies (or truths after flip-flopping like a seal in the Artic). No more speeches, Mr. Obama, please. No more talk, no more lies, no more hypocrisy.
Posted by: no_more_speeches | July 15, 2008, 5:13 pm 5:13 pm
The London times quotes BHO as saying he would invade Pakistan with or without their permission should he see fit to do so.
Now, who’s the war monger?
Posted by: Soetoro No! | July 15, 2008, 5:17 pm 5:17 pm
I’m with you Rachel, the smart and intelligent candidate Obama. McCain is out of touch and he didn’t rate 5th from the botton of his class for no reason. Dumb doesn’t do enough justice to McCain’s mental powers. After all, he plans on continuing Bush policy. He just can’t see that what has failed for over seven years will keep failing. What a bozo.
Posted by: JR | July 15, 2008, 5:25 pm 5:25 pm
OMG… who is calling who a flip flopper?? Tell me what exactly do you call it when every 2 hours McCain is on a new thought???
Posted by: becky | July 15, 2008, 5:29 pm 5:29 pm
OMG… who is calling who a flip flopper?? Tell me what exactly do you call it when every 2 hours McCain is on a new thought???
Posted by: becky | July 15, 2008, 5:29 pm 5:29 pm
Rachel:
In other words, you were talking about Hillary?
Posted by: SandyB | July 15, 2008, 5:36 pm 5:36 pm
It’s kind of funny to me that this is the worst thing they’ve been able to accuse him of at this stage.
McCain has notably been pushing the boundaries (if not breaking) other campaign finance laws. Is that really better than “shifting position”?
Posted by: Tony | July 15, 2008, 5:49 pm 5:49 pm
Sen. Barack Obama acknowledged Tuesday that he has made a “shift in emphasis” on some issues during his campaign but argues Sen. John McCain’s reversals are much more severe.
===
Right, this phony, affirmative action candi asks you to choose between a bigger devil and a smaller devil. Maybe he is changing his position of “phoniness”; perhaps we shall call him a little phony now – after all, he is admitting that he has deceive you, the voters and stole the dems nomination from a better more experience and more knowledgeable candidate.
Posted by: fact check | July 15, 2008, 5:53 pm 5:53 pm
becky
you call that senile
Posted by: rodney | July 15, 2008, 5:53 pm 5:53 pm
bush says our economy is growing—mccain says nafta has brought us prosperity——does something sound the same here–big oil and big business speaking—–come on public wise up and put a stop to these guys
Posted by: rodney | July 15, 2008, 6:05 pm 6:05 pm
It is interesting that people attempt to point out that McCain has “flip-flopped” more as a defense of Obama’s “shifts” and “refinements” in policy.
Okay, assume that is true. Isn’t that an admission that Obama has been changing positions? It’s a two wrongs don’t make a right argument…basic but it still has validity. Yes, I know, I am a fool and an idiot. Don’t waste your breath.
Also, what’s up with Obama supposedly not being joke-worthy? The guy is so square! Actually, the news article today I believe is wrong, there are some good ones told by Leno and O’brien, etc.
Anyway, I support nothing offensive, I think he is a good candidate, whatever, but everybody deserves some light mockery, thank you very much.
Posted by: Wade | July 15, 2008, 6:11 pm 6:11 pm
big oil and big business speaking—–come on public wise up and put a stop to these guys
Posted by: rodney | Jul 15, 2008 6:05:25 PM
======
Yup, You should.
Your political Jesus, affirmative action candi voted for the bill that gives the big oil Billions in taxes relief – a favorite accomplishment by Chaney and Bush.
McCain voted against it.
Posted by: fact check | July 15, 2008, 6:23 pm 6:23 pm
Street Organizer for President!
Experience we can laugh at…Obama 08
Posted by: Mack | July 15, 2008, 6:27 pm 6:27 pm
How come Obama’s followers don’t know that there’s no difference between a ‘change in emphasis’ and a ‘flip-flop? Genetic? Gullible? Ill informed?
Posted by: Just Curious | July 15, 2008, 6:42 pm 6:42 pm
Flip flop= Shift in Emphasis in Obamaspeak
Posted by: J | July 15, 2008, 6:44 pm 6:44 pm
How come Obama’s followers don’t know that there’s no difference between a ‘change in emphasis’ and a ‘flip-flop?
Posted by: Just Curious | Jul 15, 2008 6:42:56 PM
====
Because they are highly educated, rich, and belonging to an elite club.
Posted by: Olbermnn3 | July 15, 2008, 7:14 pm 7:14 pm
If I recall correctly, the college professor who taught my marketing and advertising classes had another term for a “shift in emphasis” when such was referred to in the business world…”weasel words.”
When considering the almost daily movement and changes in professed policy and proposals for “change” in government that emanate from the two major campaigns, the terminology seems quite appropriate.
Bad or worse…
What a choice!
Posted by: Jayhawk | July 15, 2008, 8:53 pm 8:53 pm
While I am not a Republican (or a Democrat), I find it interesting that very little or no credit for the current economic crisis (recession, depression, call it what you want) is being credited for a Democrat majority in the Congress for almost two years.
Granted, the Bush/Cheney economic policies have been the primary factor in fueling the move towards economic collapse in the United States and the world.
However, the governmental and personal policies of excess that have brought us to this point have been molded and growing for quite a bit longer than 6 or 7 years.
We should all know that the Republican majority policy pioneered by Newt Gingrich and his minions was instrumental in producing the necessary conditions for economic disaster.
However, the Democrat majority led by Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid has done virtually nothing that has proven to be an effective deterrent to the erupting, economic depression that is now in critical stages.
And, if you don’t believe we are in a depression and heading for worse, consider when the last time in American history that so many banks were failing and people were lining up in panic to get their money out of the banks.
Or, consider when the last time in American history that the current number of homeowners were in default (and this is far from the peak).
Or, consider when the last time in American history that inflation of the prices paid for goods was at the current, runaway rate.
Blame it on Bush, the Democrats and Republicans in Congress, whoever. Pointing the finger of blame will not change what is about to happen.
Neither McCain nor Obama nor the rest of Congress have a true desire or the realistic ability to fix the mess they have created and helped to foster.
Bad times are here, folks, and it isn’t getting any better for quite a while…
Posted by: Jayhawk | July 15, 2008, 9:14 pm 9:14 pm
The three polls from ABC,CBS, and
Quinnipiac showing Obama will a
5-7 point lead Are Bogus!
These three Will Never Show McCain
ahead!
How exactly did Barack Obama gain an advantage from the three previous polls
showing the race basically even!
I guess the respondents like candidates
who change their positions like they
change their clothes, AKA, Barack Obama!
I guess they like his Non Solution to our Energy Crisis!
I guess they like his dishonest
comments about Iraq and his refusal to admit that he was wrong about the “surge” and McCain was right!
I guess they believe his unbelievable
claims that he Never Heard Rev Wright
Spew his Anti-White, Anti-U.S.
Sermons for 20 years in Trinity Church!
The only poll that counts is on
November 4th and John McCain will
come out on top in that one!
Posted by: reaganfan | July 15, 2008, 11:36 pm 11:36 pm
McCain has no room to talk about flip flopping. So the “surge” worked now what..Iraq has asked us to set a withdrawal date…where is it? what are we waiting for? Bush=Victory….no wait, where are our permanent bases? where’s the no contract oil agreement? Where’s the we want to own your air space? Our embassy and tourist zone around it isn’t done.Aaah now that’s victory Bush style.
Posted by: linda n carolina | July 16, 2008, 1:11 pm 1:11 pm
The surge has resulted in a decrease in violence; actually that should have been expected, if you put enough bodies on the ground, the trouble makers will quiet down. Now what? What will it take to keep down violence as the number of American serviceman decreases. That is the true measure of success, will these people behave if our military leaves. Unfortunately, I think not. At least if history means anything. So therefore the surge is a failure, the war was a failure and the factions will continue to fight until THEY decide to stop!! This has more to do with old fashion human behavior than politics. I don’t like people hurting and dying, but if we continuously deprive other countries from experiencing the full folly of their misbehavior, they never really learn to govern themselves.
Posted by: emory crawford | July 16, 2008, 3:31 pm 3:31 pm
“I find it interesting that very little or no credit for the current economic crisis (recession, depression, call it what you want)…”
How about “none of the above”? A recession is defined as two successive calendar quarters of negative economic growth. We haven’t yet had ONE MONTH of negative economic growth, much less one quarter, still less two successive quarters.
“We should all know that the Republican majority policy pioneered by Newt Gingrich and his minions was instrumental in producing the necessary conditions for economic disaster.”
Just what “economic disaster” was that? Aren’t you people always telling us how wonderful the economy was during the Clinton presidency? This is when the Republicans (Gingrich, et al), gained control of Congress for the first time in decades.
“And, if you don’t believe we are in a depression and heading for worse, consider when the last time in American history that so many banks were failing and people were lining up in panic to get their money out of the banks.”
The Savings and Loan collapse (roots in the late 1970s – http://www.fdic.gov/bank/historical/s&l/ ), was worse by at least an order of magnitude. And is was a Democrat US Senator that caused the run on IndyMac bank (by publicising a letter on what bad shape it was in).
“Or, consider when the last time in American history that inflation of the prices paid for goods was at the current, runaway rate.”
You’ve got to be kidding me!!! Late 70′s, Democrat President Jimmy Carter, Democrat majorities in House and Senate – inflation rate, unemployment rate, interest rates ALL were MUCH worse than now.
“Bad times are here, folks, and it isn’t getting any better for quite a while…”
“Bad times”??? How can you be possibly be so utterly ignorant?
If a Democrat president is elected, along with a filibuster-proof Democrat majority in the Senate, we can pretty much kiss our hard-fought prosperity goodbye – at which point you’ll know what real “bad times” are.
Posted by: lloydrmc | July 21, 2008, 4:52 pm 4:52 pm