New Voter Project quizzes Bush/Kerry/Nader in first online debate of its kind

http://youthdebate.newvotersproject.org/the_candidates_respond.html

[ The New Voters project submitted 10 questions to the Bush/Kerry/Nader 
for an online debate moderated by the community.  Not much new here, 
except for Nader gaining a lot with the young if you ask me.  Below is 
my favorite Q/A of them all.  PISS OFF BUSH.  I still can't believe you 
refuse to admit one single goddamn mistake.  FUCK YOU. -j ]

Q. When is it appropriate for a leader to change their opinion? Both 
sides have been accused of flip-flopping on important issues - President 
Bush on establishing the Dept. of Homeland Security and steel tariffs, 
Senator Kerry on the Iraq war. But changing opinion due to thoughtful 
reconsideration ought not to be derided as flip-flopping. Tell us about 
a time when you had an honest change of opinion on a topic of national 
importance.
- Jeremy, 30, of WA

 Mr. Ralph Nader Responds:
When I first arrived in Washington, DC, one of my first meals was a hot 
dog. After I discovered what were in hot dogs I never ate another one. I 
changed my mind. When we get new facts or new information, it is foolish 
to continue on the same course as if the new information did not exist. 
The Bush administration has been among the most anti-scientific, 
anti-fact based administrations we've ever seen. They are willing to 
amend the facts in government reports in order to justify the policy 
choices they make. We've seen this with critically important issues like 
global climate change and the war in Iraq. In truth, facts matter - 
science matters and we need to seek it out, understand it and make 
decisions based on it.
 
Senator John Kerry Responds:
It is important for leaders to tell the truth to the American people. If 
the leaders get the facts wrong then they should admit it. If leaders 
form their opinions based on a set of facts and they learn that those 
facts are wrong, it is appropriate to change their position. American 
government works best when it works based on trust and honesty.
 
President George Bush Responds:
President Bush declined to answer this question.
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