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.
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
"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
"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
I did it, and I regret it, and I regret it."
--- George H.W. Bush on raising taxes
"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
"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
"I knew from the start that I was bound to be crucified either way I moved."
--- Lyndon B. Johnson on the Vietnam War
"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
"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
"I am not fit for this office and should never have been here."
"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
"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