The political 'flip-flop' attack doesn't always pack a punch for voters

It's happened before: In 2004, two candidates prepped for the second presidential debate, moderated by ABC. Leading up to the political face-off, the Republican presidential campaign accused the Democratic candidate of flip-flopping on policy.

That race for the White House was between then-President George W. Bush and then-Sen. John Kerry.

During the October debate in St. Louis, Bush attacked Kerry for his shifting stance on the Iraq War. He argued Kerry shouldn't be president because the country needed a commander in chief who "is steadfast and strong and determined." The flip-flop attack stuck and became a key moment of the debate and the 2004 presidential election.

While much has changed in last 20 years, presidential campaigns continue to level this sort of attack against one another — though it may not influence voters as much as the candidates hope.

In recent weeks, former-President Donald Trump and his campaign have seized on shifts in Vice President Harris' stances on fracking, health care and immigration. Trump called Harris the "greatest flip-flopper" at a rally in Michigan.

Meanwhile, the Harris campaign criticized Trump for his "brazen flip-flops" on marijuana legalization and abortion. Just last month, Trump indicated he would vote in favor of an abortion-access amendment in Florida, before later clarifying he'll vote no.

The talking points are likely to resurface during Tuesday night's debate.

'Consistency doesn't really matter'

Despite how frequently candidates use the jabs, voters don't seem to mind a politician who flip-flops, according to University of Maryland politics professor Sarah Croco, who has conducted multiple national surveys on voter reaction to policy flip-flops.

"When I do survey