Julian Zelizer: Why We Should Elect Flip-Floppers

Julian Zelizer is a professor of history and public affairs at Princeton University. He is the author of "Jimmy Carter" (Times Books) and editor of a book assessing former President George W. Bush's administration, published by Princeton University Press.

American voters need to decide what they really want from Washington.

On the one hand, voters are dismissive of presidential and congressional candidates who can be called "flip-floppers," people who shift positions or agree to compromise.

On the other hand, voters rail against a dysfunctional Washington that seems unable to reach agreement on almost anything because politicians on the right and left don't seem willing to compromise.

As a result, the approval ratings of Congress have fallen to only 9%.

Voters insist they want the type of candidate who won't compromise, and thus won't be able to cut the deals that are needed to break through the partisan gridlock....