is it really a bad thing to be a flip flopper?

Question

or does it mean your adaptable to changing times, and needs?
serious question.

Answer 1

I don't believe it is, although the anti-Kerry propaganda machine certainly made it seem so. It's important to understand that you have to make changes to a policy when you see that it is not going the right way. And it is, like you said, about being able to adapt to the times and people's needs. It is necessary to continually question things and to avoid believing that you are above second-guessing yourself, because that would be the greatest mistake of all.

However, when you do it for purely political reasons or when you don't do it because you truly believe in it, that's where you really need to learn to pick a side and stick with it.

Answer 2

The terminology "flip flopper" has a negative connotation that politically motivated name callers will use to denigrate their "opposition" whenever that opposition changes his or her mind about an issue.

Of course, if that switch in policy is dictated by the most recent polls, I would have to say that the negative aspect of the words is warranted.

If, on the other hand, the change occurs because of new information that has come to light, or because a situation has changed, or because the first opinion was based on belief in an untruth, then I would say that it is intelligent adaptation.

We all change our minds about issues at one time or another. (At least, we SHOULD!) And one of the reasons for a forum such as this one to even exist is the hope that discussion will enlighten others to the point that they DO change their minds (or party affiliation, or outlook). Otherwise, why do we even bother?

And, if I convinced a conservative to have a more liberal outlook, I certainly wouldn't label that person a "flip flopper". ( I assume the same could be said for conservative that gained approval for an issue from a liberal.)

All that being said, to say this: The best way to ensure someone NEVER changes his/her mind is to let that person know they will face derision if they DO!

Answer 3

I have the perfect example of what is and is not being a flip-flopper.

Changing your mind about your stand on the war because it is clear to a blind man that the current situation is unacceptable, is NOT being a flip-flopper. It's having the intelligence to assess a bad situation, admit that changes have to be made and being adaptable enough to do so when the situation requires it. This refers to the stance of most politicians and citizens in our nation right now.

Changing your stand on your basic life values to garner enough support to run for President IS being a flip-flopper. I refer to Mitt Romney of course, who has done a 180 within three years time on every social issue dear to the hearts of conservatives just to pander to them shamelessly.

The irony is sweet. Republicans coined this term and have used it recklessly against anyone they wished to smear that had ever changed their mind about anything. Now the Republican candidate pulling in the most money, way ahead of Giuliani, is Romney. If they run him the Democrats will tear him apart using their own tactics against them.

Answer 4

The original meaning of a "flip-flopper" was someone who changed his positions or agendas to accommodate the particular audience he or she was addressing. And, yes, this was not a very honest or desirable candidate.
Because it was such a derogatory label to stick someone with, it became common to use it to describe any candidate or politician that changed his mind from your point of view and threw in his support for a different point of view. This is not necessarily a bad thing. When the initial position is taken and later new evidence is introduced or the original evidence is shown to be faulty - it is somewhat silly to condemn the politician for re-evaluating his position based on the new evidence.
But, hey, that's politics.

Answer 5

Oh, I'm so sick of answering this question. I've been doing it since 2003.

What Rush Limbaugh calls a flip-flopper is really just a person who learned something. John Kerry was in favor of the war in Vietnam, went there, saw that is was unnecessary, dangerous and not going to accomplish anything, and came home against it. Flip-flop?

George Bush was a drinker until it began to effect his health. Then he quit drinking. Flip-flop?

Dick Cheney spent his whole life having never shot anyone in the face, until one day he changed his mind on that whole issue. Flip-flop?

Gonzoles didn't know he had authorized the firing of attorneys until someone told him he had, then he knew it. Flip-flop? Oh wait, yes that one is.

Anyway, there are some people in this world who think that changing your mind is a sign of weakness that makes you incapable of leading. And they will continue to think that until they flip-flop.

Answer 6

It would depend on the circumstances. A president like Bush who never changes his mind, no much how much new evidence he is given that he is wrong, is clearly far more dangerous than a leader able to adapt to change. However, a leader who has no real moral core and changes positions simply because he thinks a position is more popular with the voters is also very dangerous.

Answer 7

I never saw a reason to be called a "flip-flopper" if you believe you were wrong and change your mind. A good person will admit wrong if THEY KNOW THEY ARE WRONG rather than continue to continue on the same mistake.

For example, the Iraqi War. If there needs to be a change (and it should be) when something is going wrong, you don't continue making the same mistake (right bush?).

Answer 8

It depends. if it is a basis of changing circumstances yes but if it is not based in changing circumstances then no.

Example. Feinstein said.

It has come to my attention, Attorney General Gonzales that, despite high apprehension rates by Border Patrol agents along California's border with Mexico, prosecutions by the US attorney's office Southern District of California appear to lag behind. A concern voiced by Border Patrol agents is that low prosecution rates have a demoralizing effect on the men and women patrolling our nation's borders. It is my understanding that the US attorney's office, Southern District of California, may have some of the most restrictive prosecutorial guidelines nationwide for immigration cases, such that many Border Patrol agents end up not referring their cases. I'm concerned that lax prosecution --" she's talking about Carol Lam here, "I'm concerned that lax prosecution can endanger the lives of Border Patrol agents.

"In 2005, the US attorney's office in southern California --" that would be Carol Lam "-- convicted only 387 aliens for alien smuggling and 262 aliens for illegal reentry after deportation. When looking at the rates of conviction from 2003 to 2005, the numbers of convictions fall by nearly half. I'm concerned, Mr. Attorney General, about these low numbers. I would like to know what steps can be taken to ensure that immigration violators are vigorously prosecuted. I appreciate your timely --"

then two days ago.

FEINSTEIN: An accumulation study done by USA Today places Carol Lam as one of the top three attorneys in the United States for the prosecution of these cases. It is a real surprise to me that you would say here that the reason for her dismissal was immigration cases.

thats not adapting to change thats changing your stance for other reasons.

Answer 9

I think it means the ability to change your mind on an issue given new or contradicting facts.

So I would say No! It seems more a sign of intelligence and cognitive thought.

Unless you mean someone who makes flip flops, that doesn't sound like much fun.

Answer 10

Empty headed rhetoric isn't designed to influence thinking people. The moniker "flip flopper" is aimed at retarded Americans.