Not really indicative of flip-flopping. The Patriot Act was amended up the wazoo and passed in haste after 9-11. As is to be expected in times of crisis, leaders often act, or in this case, vote without examining the issue completely. A variety of Senators from both sides of the aisle have expressed reservations over certain provisions of the law. I'd give Kerry the benefit of the doubt here.

Yeah, and 95 other senators voted for it and many of them are now against it.

Duh. Of course people were for it (fear and quick reaction to 9/11) now they see that it is a danger to Civil Liberties. I remember when America used to call this making a decision based on facts and education- now it's Flip-Flopping

Something about knee jerk reactions to public opinion comes to mind.

If I were advising Prez Bush I would eschew any further discussion about Kerry's participation in anti-war protest, flip-flopping or any other perceived weakness in Sen Kerry's background. I would grab the Patriot Act, cite (over and over) the fiercely clear recommendation of the 9/11 Commission that the Patriot Act, not only needs to be maintained, but that it doesn't go far enough in protecting Americans right now. And they are only comparing it to the terrorists we know. They get stronger and smarter and better funded every year. The basic message would be: You want another 9/11? Elect Kerry. You want someone who dedicates his presidency to keeping Americans safe and alive, I'm your guy. Now go into that voting booth and do the right thing, for yourself, for your kids, for everything you believe in. They shut us down for a week last time. If they shut us down for a month, how many jobs will be lost then? UPDATE: Not to seem melodramatic but, how many LIVES will be lost then?

When does Kerry not flip-flop on the issues? By the way I am definitely for the Patriot Act.

He did do a U-turn on this one. I'm not a John Kerry fan. I'm an anyone-but-Bush moderate Independent. But fair is fair and I think that a number of congressmen voted for the Patriot Act because they were caught up in the post-9/11 hysteria. That or they feared being branded as unpatriotic by conservatives and the administration.

Yeah, I have a pretty hard time with this one.