debate issues --- #1 flip flops

Flip flop #1 -- Kerry voted for the war then voted against the war (this is a sound byte that has been repeated so many times that it becomes the truth if you don't check it out). President Bush asked for authorization to go to war with Iraq. He said he would use this authorization only after he had exhausted all diplomatic options to build a multilateral coalition. War would be the last resort.
Here's what Kerry said on the Senate floor before voting to give Bush authority:
Kerry (10/9/02) Let there be no doubt or confusionabout where we stand on this. I will support a multilateral effort to disarm him (Saddam) by force, if we ever exhaust those other options, as the President has promised, but I will not support a unilateral U.S. war against Iraq unless that threat is imminent and the multilateral effort has not proven possible under any circumstances.
Flip flop #2 -- Kerry voted for the $87 billion for Iraq and Afghanistan the voted against it.
Kerry voted for an alternative resolution that would have approved $87 billion in emergency funds for troops and reconstruction in Iraq and Afghanistan, but it was conditioned on repealing Bush's tax cuts, and it failed 57-42. On the key, up or down vote on the $87 billion itself Kerry was one of only 12 senators in opposition, along with the man who became his running mate, John Edwards.

Analogy #1 -- A parent gives the keys to their teenage son who is wcaring for his young siblings while the parents go out for the evening. He is only to use the car in case of an emergency. The parents leave the house for the evening and the teenager immediately jumps in the car and wrecks it leaving the younger siblings at home alone.
Analogy #2 -- Your brother-in-law needs $20,000 to help in expanding his business. You agree to give him the $20,000 under the condition that he not be so frivilous in the way he handles the finances of the business. Brother-in-law takes the money, goes to the racetrack and bets it on a horse. Great if he wins, but I think we all know the likely outcome. Now he argues that you agreed to give him the money, and now you want it back.