Just watching this, it seems like what happened is that he said that the health care model in Massachusetts was going to spread across the country, but he meant it in terms of states being able to choose their own plan even if it is outside of the norm, as opposed to the specifics of the health plan itself being spread across the country like "Obamacare" is. So now a quote about him saying basically "I support states rights" is being run against him as "I love socialism." It's annoying because it's not a real reason to dislike him, it's just a stupid, meaningless talking point.

On the other hand though, fark that guy.

Tyrone Slothrop: thirdrail: Not defending Romney but I wish as a politician that changing one's mind wouldn't be such a big freakin deal... I mean who wants a stubborn a-hole for a leader that gets an idea in their head and runs with it no matter what the cost is?

There's a difference between changing your mind because of new evidence or a genuine philosophical shift. Romney comes across as changing his mind whenever the wind blows in a new direction, and then denies he changed anything.

He also pretty frequently denies ever changing his position even though it's blatant that he has.

The Larch: He's interviewing for a job as President of the United States, and he's displaying an attitude that would immediately disqualify him from any job with authority.

There are a lot of behaviors that are put up with from people running for office (especially President) that wouldn't be acceptable for a regular gig. Flip flopping on basic positions, outbursts to the interviewer, previous criminal records (multiple DUIs for example) and claiming that getting the job is the will of God.