"The operative word in that sentence is 'retrospectively'."

I can't agree with you more that this is the most important element to the article. However, why can't the current administration make a similar concession? Is it that they do not believe they made any mistakes? I find that hard to imagine given the facts. This idea that politicians are not allowed to change their minds given new facts and information is ludicrous. Calling Kerry or Bush flip floppers because they have voted for something one way and then the other at another time is silly. Not one of us here know the reasoning behind making the decisions nor do we know what facts changed between the supposed flip flop.

It would be nice if the campaigns would focus on real issues and not create false issues that delude the public's opinion of each candidate. Ahhh but there in lies the problem, for that to happen we would need something radical like campaign reform. What elected official is going to change the system that got them elected?