McCain's plane should really be called the Flip-Flop Express

If the media types who covered John McCain actually paid attention to his words, instead of stressing about whether they'll be considered "good" enough to sit up in the front of the plane, they'd probably notice a pattern with McCain. The guy has no core principles. When it comes to McCain, that's not a factor for the press. In fact, David Broder has issued the edict that McCain can say what he wants without repercussions, because the press corps knows McCain:

McCain benefits from a long-established reputation as a man who says what he believes. His shifts in position that have occurred in this campaign seem not to have damaged that aura.

Broder's tepid mention of "shifts in position" is a gross understatement. But, when Broder speaks, the rest of the pundits -- and Broder wannabes -- listen. I keep harking back to that column he wrote because it says so much about how the media is willing to coddle McCain.

Steve Benen uncovered and documents a "whopping" 61 flip flops from McCain on a wide range of very important issues. There are so many, it's no wonder the traditional media types can't keep track. Too much work. As important, Steve notes, McCain tried to take the high ground on issues of character:

Remember, just two weeks ago, John McCain said, “This election is about trust and trusting people’s word.” Just a few days prior, the McCain campaign admonished Barack Obama for trying to “have it both ways” on issues.

McCain counts on the fact that the political press won't hold him accountable. And, they don't.

Read Benen's entire list and keep the link handy. Here's are several of the flip-flops towards the end of the list that you won't want to miss:

59. McCain was against presidential candidates campaigning at Bob Jones University before he was for it.

60. McCain decided in 2000 that he didn’t want anything to do with former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, believing he “would taint the image of the ‘Straight Talk Express.’” Kissinger is now the Honorary Co-Chair for his presidential campaign in New York.

61. McCain believed powerful right-wing activist/lobbyist Grover Norquist was “corrupt, a shill for dictators, and (with just a dose of sarcasm) Jack Abramoff’s gay lover.” McCain now considers Norquist a key political ally.