To you?
To me?
To the Electorate at large?
McCain was the "Straight Talk Express" before getting side swiped in SC.
Now Dean has been given that "Straight Talk" mantle by some.. I don't know if Dean gave it to himself, or someone just started using it.. and for me that doesn't matter really as much as this.
What exactly does "straight talk" mean?
There are those who feel that anyone that has the "Straight Talk" label applied means they can never change, point in fact the "flip flop" attacks Dean and others running, that they can't be "straight talk" if they change thier minds.
I personally don't hold to this version of "straight talk" if for only one reason.. its downright silly. Next time I see anyone change thier minds I'm going to accuse them of being a "flip flopper who hates straight talk" see how long THAT would keep me employed!
Your ideas and thoughts MUST change if the facts change.. thats not flip flopping.. thats beinga rational human being.
So what does "straight talk" mean then, if it doesn't mean.. never changing your mind?
TO ME: Straight talk means that they are honest, with themselves, with me, and with others. They say what they think, they don't shy away from it, they can spologize for making mistakes, but they own up to them and move on.
I know someones going to bring up the whole C-flag thing with Dean. I totally understand Deans reaction at the debate, hell I would have done the same thing, I tend to react the same way when I'm attacked verbally, I get gruff, I stand my ground and tell them to go to hell even if I am wrong. But also like Dean after calming down, I usually realize I made a mistake and apologize, move on, and thats the end of it. (Drives my wife crazy when we argue.)
IN the end, I'd much rather have Deans "straight talk" than Bush's "I'm not sure what I'm saying" approach..