Presidential Flip Floppers

Barack Obama is not the only president to change his mind. Here's a look at other American leaders who flipped-flopped over policies, scandals & more.

Barack Obama

44th president

It's tempting not to negotiate with hostage takers -- unless the hostage gets harmed. Then, people will question the wisdom of that strategy. In this case, the hostage was the American people, and I was not willing to see them get harmed."

--- Barack Obama on his tax cut deal

George W. Bush

43rd president

"U.S. officials never expected that we were going to open garages and find weapons of mass destruction."

--- George W. Bush on weapons of mass destruction claim

Bill Clinton

42nd president

"I did have a relationship with Miss Lewinsky that was not appropriate. In fact, it was wrong. I misled people, including even my wife. I deeply regret that."

--- Bill Clinton on the Monica Lewinsky scandal

George H. W. Bush

41st president

I did it, and I regret it, and I regret it."

--- George H.W. Bush on raising taxes

Ronald Reagan

40th president

"A few months ago, I told the American people I did not trade arms for hostages. My heart and my best intentions still tell me that's true, but the facts and the evidence tell me it is not."

--- Reagan's testimony with regard to the Iran-Contra affair

Richard Nixon

37th president

"I can see clearly now ... that I was wrong in not acting more decisively and more forthrightly in dealing with Watergate."

--- Richard Nixon on the Watergate scandal

Lyndon B. Johnson

36th president

"I knew from the start that I was bound to be crucified either way I moved."

--- Lyndon B. Johnson on the Vietnam War

John F. Kennedy

35th president

"We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard."

--- John F. Kennedy on the space program

Herbert Hoover

31st president

"The willingness of our people to accept this added burden in these times in order impregnably to establish the credit of the federal government is a great tribute to their wisdom and courage."

--- Herbert Hoover on signing the Revenue Act of 1932

Warren G. Harding

29th president

"I am not fit for this office and should never have been here."

--- Warren G. Harding

Andrew Johnson

17th president

"It is true I am asked why don't I join the Democratic Party. Why don't they join me … if I have administered the office of president so well?"

--- Andrew Johnson on his party affiliation

John Tyler

10th president

"In 1840, I was called from my farm to undertake the administration of public affairs, and I foresaw that I was called to a bed of thorns. I now leave that bed which has afforded me little rest ..."

--- John Tyler on why he wouldn't run for re-election

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Golden Memory of Elizabeth Edwards

Elizabeth Edwards died of breast cancer on Tuesday. News of her death came a day after it was announced that she had ended treatment on her doctors' advice. We take a look back at her life, her family and her battle against the illness.

Her last days

Edwards' family gathered around her at the family's Chatham County, N.C., home. Her estranged husband, former U.S. Sen. John Edwards, reportedly moved back in to help care for Elizabeth and their two young children.

Her daily life

In recent years, Elizabeth Edwards tried to live a normal life. She became a businesswoman, opening a store in Chapel Hill. She also took children Jack and Emma Claire on family outings.

How they met

Elizabeth Anania met John Edwards while they were both law students. They married right after graduation.

Her cancer battle begins

In 2004, John Kerry conceded defeat in the race for president against George W. Bush; John Edwards was Kerry's running mate. Elizabeth Edwards, meanwhile, was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Their children

Elizabeth and John Edwards are the parents of four children. Wade Edwards died in 1996, while he was still a high school student. How old was Elizabeth Edwards when she had Emma Claire?

First cancer fight

She began treatment soon after the presidential election was settled, though she reportedly was in constant pain. What else did she say in her 2006 memoir about being injected with anti-cancer drugs?

John Edwards' presidential campaign

Elizabeth Edwards had appeared the supportive wife during her husband's vice-presidential bid, and she took a similar role in his 2008 presidential campaign. She was also considered one of his closest advisors.

John Edwards' affair

John Edwards reportedly admitted his affair with Rielle Hunter to his wife not long after he announced his presidential bid Why did she reportedly counsel him to quit the race? Here's how reports of the affair surfaced.

Campaign and cancer

In March 2007, John and Elizabeth announced that her cancer had returned but that his campaign for the presidency would continue.

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