By Steven Cobb

In the last six months, the term “flip-flopping” has become the centerpiece for mass media and, on some levels, has dictated the campaigns of both candidates. The Republican campaign, headed by Karl Rove, initiated the use of this term in an effort to distort Sen. John F. Kerry’s record and his position on major political issues in America.

Well, it has been a success. George W. Bush has used the word numerous times to degrade Kerry’s public service record. Bush has identified Kerry’s absences from intelligence meetings, as well as his meager voting record. Bush has also used Kerry’s indecisiveness on issues to promote himself as a strong leader that does not waver under political pressure. In fact, Bush has been so successful, the Kerry campaign has recently adopted the term “flip-flopping” to try and show some inconsistencies in the president’s political record.

As all three debates came to a close, the two candidates were no longer speaking of the future of the country and the progression of the American people, they were merely arguing over past records and positions.

The question is: Is the term “flip-flopping” just political banter used by the Republicans to help Bush get re-elected or are Kerry’s positions on key issues really that contradictory?

As a republican and a Bush supporter, I believe Kerry’s and John Edwards’ stances on issues are conflicting. Both contenders are senators, and neither one of them upheld their duties as senators. As a senator, your main responsibility is to voice the opinion of the people of your state. Kerry has missed 76 percent of all senate votes and Edwards is right behind him. Perhaps, my confusion is because I am not a permanent resident of Massachusetts, but how can the people overwhelmingly support a man that did not even show up to voice their own beliefs? I would think the people of Massachusetts would be outraged that their senator of 20 years could not get the job done.

Although Kerry has an impressive military record, he lacks the qualities of a strong Commander-in-Chief. Kerry is a flip-flopper because of his wavering positions on issues that greatly affect the lives of the American people. If a man cannot represent the seventh smallest state in the country, how can he represent the country as a whole?

— Steven Cobb is a sophomore political science major.