This week both the Obama campaign and the McCain campaign accused each other of flip-flopping on important issues.

Beginning with McCain, who accused the Obama campaign of flip-flopping and going back on their word to accept public financing.  Barack Obama, of course, had previously committed to accept public financing if he were to become the Democrat nominee.  He did this in writing and also verbally.

Also this week, the Obama campaign accused John McCain of flip-flopping on the issue of drilling for more oil and the oil restrictions in place.  McCain previously opposed offshore drilling but has now made the decision, in light off the current situation, to support it.

Seems cut and dry to the Democrats, McCain flip-flopped.  The problem with the stance the democrats are taking is that they are sending the message that once you make a decision; you must stand by that decision forever no matter what the circumstances in the world at the time.  Hello?  Anybody with an ounce of common sense or some experience in management at all can tell you that you MUST change your decision as conditions dictate it!

As an analogy – because we decide not to do business with Iran because they are a state sponsor of terrorism, does that me that we will never again do business with them in the future, even if they reform their ways?  Of course not.  Decisions change and should change based on the current situation facing a leader.  John McCain was faced with the question – “how do we deal long-term with $4.00 + per gallon gasoline and other energy needs.”  This new reality caused a change of heart, and a good one at that.

By contrast, Barack Obama changed his mind about accepting public financing when nothing in the environment had changed.  You could say the fact he was raising mega-millions caused him to change his mind, but he knew last year that one of the campaigns would be getting large amounts of donations, who is he trying to kid?  There is nothing in the political environment fundamentally different today than last year.

The lame excuse coming out of the Obama camp is that they need all of this money to fight the attack ads from the 527 groups – as if these groups only exist on the Republican side – give me a break.  The 527 groups existed last year when the great Obama decided to accept public financing.  It was political promise to demonstrate his commitment to try and reform the campaign finance system.  The sight of money has caused his change of heart, pure and simple.

The bible says “the love of money is the root of all evil” and Barack Obama and company have fallen hook, line and sinker into the trap.

The larger issue that we must face here is that there is a time when it makes good sense for a leader to change his mind, for the good of the country, based on a change in the environment.  And then again there are times when changing your decision shows your innermost character.  The American people should take note.