What is "flip flopping"

To really be a "flip flopper", I would think you'd have to at least change your mind twice. Otherwise, you're just a "flipper". Your definition makes sense. If someone seems to change their ideas or goals based on who they are speaking to, that would definitely be "flip-flopping". A similar term would be "wishy-washy".

A saying popped up on my desktop reminder the other day: "A wise man rarely changes his mind but a fool never does". I think that says it all. Most politicians are true flip-floppers, hypocrites which will sway anywhere the wind blows and people are too blind or too stupid or inattentive to see that. I would like one to say, just once, that although they don't agree with something they will go along with it since it is the public's preference. Instead of just lying about it, that is.

That whole John Kerry thing was just ridiculous but typical political bashing. As you said, it is true that a lot of people change their minds based on experience and additional information etc. Worse are the ones that have their minds set so firmly that they refuse to even consider that perhaps their thinking is wrong. As for real flip flopping, well, that is usually someone that has no strong feelings on any issue but rather speaks the words his particular audience wants to hear. They don't change their stance on anything at all because there is no stance. Only their words change. Basically, they are just phoney individuals. You see these types of people everywhere but in politics they are more rampant and also more damaging.

Well stated Para. Yeah it does seem to pop up a lot now days without whether or not this is a change in mind which then you can ask the question what information did you find that caused that change of thought. Which generally if it isn't a person just playing the crowd they will be able to quickly answer that question and you will feel truth in it.

Oh you have just described our Prime Minister where I live. He is known as Mr. Flip Flop. He is the real deal. A shortened version for the words Prime Minister is to refer to him as the P.M. Our local joke is that the letters stand for Pathologically Mendacious. Wiki Leaks is giving us great daily amusement.

The bamboo that bends is stronger than the oak that resists. ~Japanese Proverb Herman Cain is said to have flip flopped on appointing Musims to his cabinet if elected. A reporter asked him if he'd appoint Muslims and he said NO. He explained why as well. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9afhH0x7PQo In this clip he explains under what circumstance he would 'consider' appointing a Muslim. His words have been twisted and the his explanations not discussed. ONLY the fact that he said NO, then said further that he'd consider it. The press is gearing up to discredit him and this is just the first incidence of that.

A politician can say one thing to one group and a a week later tell another group something different. Then for the next few weeks the media tries to explain what they really meant based on how the public is reacting. The beauty of this is the politician is off the hook because the media has misinterpreted what he/she said and then can change the position and let the media explain the changes. And on and on it goes.

sad

flip flopping is a person going whatever way popular opinion seems to go and them not being able to stand up for their own beliefs or convictions.

I agree and I've said for years that "flip-flopping" in and of itself isn't always a bad thing. In fact, if someone were in the public eye for years, even decades, and never EVER changed his or her mind, that would bother me much more than someone having a change of heart and being honest and up-front about it now and then. It just shows that we all as individuals learn and evolve as we hopefully grow as human beings. I personally think it's much worse for someone to be stubborn and bullheaded and stick to the same viewpoint no matter what might have happened to make that viewpoint wrong. Like you wrote, it's wrong for someone to change his or her stance depending on to whom they're talking and then sometimes change it back when he or she talking to someone else. However, I know I as a voter have no problem with someone changing his or her mind and admitting it and explaining the reason for the shift. It's when they try to ignore the change or even deny its existence, sometimes even when it's all over the place on video, that I DO have a problem. Annie

WOW, I grew up in Fl. and flip flops are what you wear instead of 'real shoes' just so your Mom doesn't scream at you about going bare footed (we called it better foot'n). Now the polititians are all 'flip flopin' it around Washington...doesn't it get a little chilly there in the winter for flip flops? Sorry, life is too short sometimes to be serious all the time...lol