[dawn53]

When Mr Bush reverses himself (in abandoning his promise to run a “humble” foreign policy, for instance)

Guess this guy never heard of 9/11.

[EQAndyBuzz]

"Such problems are awkward for all senators. In Mr Kerry's case, they are compounded by a tension between the needs of representing liberal Massachusetts and his own, sometimes more hawkish, views on matters such as national security and welfare reform. "

Killing 350 weapons programs makes Kerry a hawk? Imagine if he was a dove on weapons programs.

[Einigkeit_Recht_Freiheit]

Guess this guy never heard of 9/11.

I do not intend to defend Kerry, but I will defend the economist. The author was clearly not criticising Bush's policies, but rather pointing out that to be consistent as a politician regardless of circumstance is both silly and perhaps detrimental. As a result, it was necessary for Bush to change after 9/11. To not react to changing circumstances is ridiculous. Thus, the criticism of Kery for flip-flopping on many issues (according to the author) especially when taken out of context is less than fair. Note that it was not written that the man doesnt flip flop or that politics are fair. Just that in many circumstances the inconsistencies are justifiable.