A Republican lawmaker running to represent Iowa in the Senate has changed her mind about the Iran war, and the result is nonstop social media ridicule.

On Monday, Rep. Ashley Hinson made a lengthy post on X calling for an end to the conflict, saying Iowans “shouldn’t have to foot the bill at the pump or the checkout line for the war in Iran.”

But while the ability to change one’s mind when presented with new evidence is considered a sign of intelligence or an open mind, in Hinson’s case, it may have been a political calculation.

The war has cost nearly $40 billion since it began in late February and has led to increased gas prices.

Hinson, who one poll shows is currently trailing her Democratic opponent, Josh Turek, by eight points, previously voted against House resolutions to end the war at least six times, including one last week, according to NBC News reporter Sahil Kapur.

And, yes, many people pointed out the political paradox.

Here is a video of @hinsonashley defending the Iran War, saying it is "out of sight, out of mind" for Iowans.She had six chances to vote to end the war but she voted to continue it every single time.Hinson is trying to save her failing campaign. Don't fall for her lies. https://t.co/HtnpMWgX8U pic.twitter.com/6gymcobDdr

Well now we know why Ashley Hinson came out against the war. https://t.co/ukCv9mQ55V

Ashley Hinson out with a statement whining and crying about the consequences of the war she supported. If you read far enough in, you find she’s calling for an end to it. But just last week the House voted on a war powers resolution to end the war and she voted against it.… https://t.co/RKMxjzNAq2

You voted to continue the Iran War 7 times. Kindly shut the fuck up. https://t.co/RmHkD3lxQc

Her opponent in the Senate race also chimed in, saying, “It’s easy to send a tweet, but when you had a chance to vote to end this war, you chose not to.”

.@hinsonashley, it's easy to send a tweet but when you had the chance to vote to end this war, you chose not to. You voted seven times to continue it, including just last week. It's time to actually end the forever wars and put Iowa and Iowans first.Glad you're finally… https://t.co/Myd7lvsT0y

Podcaster Tim Miller noted that Hinson won’t actually have to prove she really wants to end the war, since Congress has been recessed until after the November election.

Ashley Hinson has come up with some proposals for offsetting the disastrous costs of the moronic Iran war she supported. Problem is Congress has gone home until after the election so she can’t actually do any of them. https://t.co/LaSJVezTKr

Others chimed in.

“We’re all trying to find the guy who did this.” https://t.co/8SSCYd2KoB pic.twitter.com/HLSzMnjLbb

This reads like 'BREAK GLASS IN CASE OF EMERGENCY' https://t.co/UbXUu6yWEX

If I was a Dem I would be running on a Day 1 war and tariff repeal votes: both of which Hinson supports https://t.co/dvvyPo7Tlw

This tweet is probably a more useful indicator of where the election is going than any poll. https://t.co/qZvWcwDeEP

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