... made me think of Mitt

I haven't made up my mind about Mitt. In fact, I've got a blog brewing that may indicate a leaning toward the likes of Huckabee or Paul, but when I read this little gem from Benjamin Franklin the other day it made me think of Mitt. It has often occurred to me that the press Mitt gets for changing his mind on some important issues need not be seen as quit as strong a negative as it is.

After all, shouldn't we be looking for men to lead us who are constantly seeking better understanding and greater wisdom and who are willing to question their own beliefs. Isn't that, in fact, exactly what all the candidates are asking us to do?

Well, Mitt and his people could likely never quote this because the self-deprecating element would likely be spun against him, but here's what Benjamin Franklin had to say to begin his closing address to the constitutional convention...

"I confess that I do not entirely approve this Constitution at present; but sir, I am not sure I shall never approve it: For, having lived long, I have experienced many instances of being obliged, by better information or fuller consideration, to change opinions even on important subjects, which I once thought right, but found to be otherwise. It is therefore that, the older I grow, the more apt I am to doubt my own judgment and pay more respect to the judgment of others...."

No doubt, there's reason to be weary of flip-floppers given the danger of electing one based on his or her stand on an issue only to see them go counter. However, given that Mitt has only flipped and hasn't flopped, I'm pretty comfortable that his changes of opinion are, as he states, honest increases in experience and wisdom. And that, to me, can speak to the greatness of a man more so than to the weakness.