Nuanced shift or flip-flop?

GOP gubernatorial hopeful Sen. Jim Barnett, R-Emporia, already is having to account for his change of heart on concealed carry, from opponent in 2004 to proponent this year. (He told The Eagle editorial board that his training as a physician had influenced his initial opposition, but that he’d restudied the issue and concluded that “law-abiding citizens are not the ones causing gun violence.”)
He also has some explaining to do on school finance. As a member of the Emporia school board in 1998, he made the motion for that district to support the lawsuit filed in federal court by midsize Kansas districts challenging the state’s school-finance formula. But now he harshly criticizes the Kansas Supreme Court for its ruling in the related school-finance case in state court. Barnett told the editorial board that he views the high court as exceeding its authority in directing the Legislature to appropriate an exact amount of money. As he understood the federal case, he said, “It was over the issue of federal mandates to educate immigrant children” without also receiving the federal money to do so. The state case came later, Barnett said, and “I had no expectation that our Supreme Court would appropriate a certain amount of money.” But will voters pick up the nuanced distinction between then and now?
Posted by Rhonda Holman

16 Comments

  1. sotheysaid
    Posted July 10, 2006 at 2:01 am | Permalink

    Why does the Eagle have a problem with people learning more about an issue? I am glad to see that Jim Barnett was willing to look into the issues more and then not being afraid to change his mind. That is an elected official with an open mind.

    I did not think the Eagle really supported closed minded elected officials? Is the Eagle doing some flip-flopping?

  2. RD
    Posted July 10, 2006 at 2:25 am | Permalink

    STS,

    I have a friend whose husband is a retired doctor (neurosurgeon), and his view is the same as Barnett’s original view. After treating so many gunshot wounds in the ER in young people (teens and children, not necessarily from gang-type activities), he’s seen how they are affected. Lives lost, life-long serious injuries, etc.. So it does make me wonder exactly WHY Barnett flip-flopped.

    I’m not saying Barnett changed his mind because of “restudying” the issue, but I do question it.

  3. Tony
    Posted July 10, 2006 at 3:56 am | Permalink

    People dont become “flip floppers” until they have changed their mind on one topic more than once and in a short amount of time…

    If this is the first time Barnett has changed his mind on something than its just what STS said, ” I am glad to see that Jim Barnett was willing to look into the issues more and then not being afraid to change his mind. That is an elected official with an open mind.”

  4. Joe Williams
    Posted July 10, 2006 at 7:33 am | Permalink

    Politicans change their minds all the time. Nothing new! You learn to pander.

  5. Damoon
    Posted July 10, 2006 at 9:00 am | Permalink

    Exactly, if he wasn’t worried about being a serious gubernatorial contender, he probably wouldn’t have changed his mind. I’m sure he “studied” the issue and decided that if he wanted to be successfully elected, he’d better be on the side that’s winning.

  6. ksfarmgrrl
    Posted July 10, 2006 at 9:41 am | Permalink

    heheheh Damoon. I think he “studied” the polling data…

  7. TRACY
    Posted July 10, 2006 at 2:30 pm | Permalink

    Only his hairdresser knows for sure!

  8. Ben Huie
    Posted July 10, 2006 at 2:43 pm | Permalink

    Perhaps we are seeing a bit of backlash from Republicans yelling “flip-flop” whenever a Democrat changes his mind on something.

  9. RD
    Posted July 10, 2006 at 5:24 pm | Permalink

    Ben,

    I was thinking the same thing. The shoe on the other foot certainly pinches.

  10. k
    Posted July 10, 2006 at 7:29 pm | Permalink

    Where were you people when shrub was calling Kerry a flip-flopper? Why weren’t you saying that maybe Kerry looked further into the issues and that you were happy to see a politician unafraid to change their mind? Oh that’s right, you were yelling “Flip-Flop Kerry!” at the top of your lungs. Kind of funny how things are different when applied to the GOP.

  11. ksfarmgrrl
    Posted July 10, 2006 at 8:17 pm | Permalink

    IOKIYAAR

  12. k
    Posted July 10, 2006 at 10:35 pm | Permalink

    ??? IOKIYAAR ???

  13. Ian Santiago
    Posted July 10, 2006 at 10:59 pm | Permalink

    IOKIYAAR= it’s okay if you are a republican

    Viva La Raza Blanco!!!

  14. Tony
    Posted July 10, 2006 at 11:11 pm | Permalink

    Your a flip-flopper if you have changed your mind more than twice in one political year (one term).

    How about that for a definition?

  15. Roscoe
    Posted July 10, 2006 at 11:55 pm | Permalink

    The editorial staff must think Barnett is going to win the primary and be Sebelius’ opponent. Better start the attacks on Barnett early…carrying the water for Sebelius the way they do.

  16. Roscoe
    Posted July 11, 2006 at 12:01 am | Permalink

    INAIIYAD It’s just presumed.

    (It’s Never An Issue If You’re A Democrat)