They've both always been at least moderately Liberal (or I should say Liberal-fronting, as politicians, by their very nature, are almost invariably malignant narcissists and oligarchs, not true believers in a sensible balance between liberty and equity for all) at their core. But, like any politician, they do lie, manipulate, twist, pander, "flip-flop", etc. according to their audience or what suits them at any given time. They can always claim "ignorance" and "learning from their mistakes" later if need be. Perfect example of this kind of noncommittal phoniness and deception being Obama's split personalities and the voices that accompanied them.
He had at least a couple: The serious, clearly enunciated, pregnant pause-laden "Presidential" voice, and the soaring, elongated, wavering, MLK-imitation/black preacher stereotype voice. Hugely distinct, to the point of one or both being obvious contrivances. And he would choose which he employed in his speeches, depending on the makeup of his audience. Because, apparently, everyone's too stupid to notice these kinds of obvious, blatantly manipulative affectations. How can anyone stomach being manipulated and condescended to so overtly? It's nauseating! But I'm getting off topic. Fact is, they've both been riding the Progressive-pandering wave of Liberalism for the last decade+. So, Liberals, flip-flops or no. Scum like every politician, but with a specific set of talking points with which to dazzle a specific set of partisan idiots, that set being modern "Progressives".