We hear from some on the left Romney "flip flipped" on abortion, and some on the right say Hillary "flip flopped" on the war.
Is there a difference in a flip flop, and just having a change of heart, or of mind.
Please don't bring libs/cons or dems/reps into this. I am asking in general, as both major parties accuse the other of this.
Thank You.
2007-10-10 02:21:33 · 13 answers · asked by Supercell 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
Some REALLY good answers so far!
2007-10-10 02:35:28 · update #1
I do think their is some difference in perception. People who change their minds simply to appease their base, or say what they want to hear are flip floppers. People that honestly just change their minds are different, although determining intention behind a change in decision is a difficult thing.
2007-10-10 02:29:44 · answer #1 · answered by Pfo 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Well they are very different. "Flip-flopping" to me can be either of two things; 1. When a candidate constantly changes his/her stance on issues. Back and forth, back and forth on issue after issue; or 2. When a candidate changes his/her stance on an issue by polling. Instead of taking a firm stance on something he/she believes in and not wavering, a candidate will look at the polls and see how the people are leaning. If the people are leaning more towards one way on an issue, then all of a sudden that candidate leans that way. Then if the polls change, so do they.
A change of heart/mind, to me is something deeper and more sincere. He/she has seen the error of their ways and has come to the conclusion that there stance on a certain issue was wrong, they admit it and are trying to correct it.
2007-10-10 02:31:59 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Generally, those who "flip-flop" on the issues are those who cannot take a true stand on such issues and will switch sides depending on the political climate or to pander to a particular voting bloc. Romney's flip-flopping on abortion as MA governor (pro-choice) and his newly "pro-life" stance to appeal to the fundamentalist Christians is a good example. (Even though, as a Mormon, he is still an anti-choicer.)
Those who have a mere change of heart are those who have taken a long-held stance on an issue but have switched positions based on their own overall assessment of the circumstances regarding such an issue and not necessarily due to any popular sentiment in a given time frame.
2007-10-10 02:41:21 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
When your side does it, it's a change of heart after serious consideration. When the other side does it and you'd like to score political points off of it, it's a "flip flop." That's the political definition.
To us non-politicians, a change of heart/mind is sincere, whereas a "flip flop" is something you do because it'll help you score better poll numbers.
2007-10-10 02:30:08 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
A change of mind or heart means to me that a person has reconsidered their lifelong opinion on a subject and for some reason decided to change it. It may have been because the person is more experienced and has more information or they may have just changed their mind but in either case it isn't done lightly and it is a permanent change. Flip flopping is a regular change of what one SAYS to impress whomever they are speaking to at the moment. It is done by insincere people like Hillary Clinton to further herself in polls and her ambitions. She doesn't mean what she says, she says it to gather votes or contributions and will likely tell the opposite story tomorrow when talkiking to a different group.
2007-10-10 02:28:50 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋
To have a change of mind or heart means you've seen the light and have formed a conviction against a previous view point.
Flip fopping is being a reed swaying in the wind.
Know a tree by the fruit it bares.
2007-10-10 02:28:27 · answer #6 · answered by Barney 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Using the term flip flop makes your opponent look like a dolt which is the desired effect while campaigning.
2007-10-10 02:25:35 · answer #7 · answered by clawdaddy314 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Changes of heart don't always just manage to happen when it's convenient to pick up votes in an election year.
2016-04-08 00:47:18 · answer #8 · answered by Barbara 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most people are biased and when they speak of the opposing party it is a flip flop and when it is their own party it is a change of heart.
2007-10-10 02:26:24 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Here is the answer:
if you are a Republican, flip-flopping is when a Democrat changes his/her mind
if you are a Democrat, flip-flopping is when a Republican changes his/her mind
2007-10-10 02:28:50 · answer #10 · answered by Big Paesano 4 · 5⤊ 0⤋