How come all the angst about flip-flops?

[rapunzel]

This got me curious about the origin of the phrase "flip-flopper." I was thinking it may have been Lee Atwater who coined the term, but it's been used since the 1890's.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flip-flop_(politics)

Two things from the entry I found interesting --

First, " In the late 19th century, a U.S. politician was called "the Florida flopper" by an opponent, Safire noted." It's always Florida, isn't it?

Second, "Flip-flops are important when they reinforce a larger narrative about a candidate?s negative attribute", Kevin Madden, a senior official in the 2008 Republican presidential primary campaign of Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney This struck me as very true -- and probably why no one seems too up in arms over the position changes regardless of political persuasion.

 

[CPort]

I though this was about the flip flop grill!

 

[Alicia Leonard]

I though this was about the flip flop grill!

I thought it was about these.........

 

[Minnie]

I think it goes along way toward stirring the pot unnecessarily and artificially creating a dissension between the political parties that shouldn't exist

Of course it does, and that is exactly what they want to do, cause dissension.

I am reading a Flannie Flagg novel about a young TV newscaster, who is was on the cusp of the change in the media in the early 70's from factual journalism to sensualistic journalism. She is having a hard time accepting the change. Her boss states, bad news is like drugs, people don't want to use them, but once they get hooked they can't give it up.

Even though this novel is fiction Ms. Flagg does a great job in revealing what a change the media has made in how we preceive everything and most certainly politics.

Flip flopping makes for attention getting news.

 

[wrobert]

This got me curious about the origin of the phrase "flip-flopper." I was thinking it may have been Lee Atwater who coined the term, but it's been used since the 1890's.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flip-flop_(politics)

Two things from the entry I found interesting --

First, " In the late 19th century, a U.S. politician was called "the Florida flopper" by an opponent, Safire noted." It's always Florida, isn't it?

Second, "Flip-flops are important when they reinforce a larger narrative about a candidate?s negative attribute", Kevin Madden, a senior official in the 2008 Republican presidential primary campaign of Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney This struck me as very true -- and probably why no one seems too up in arms over the position changes regardless of political persuasion.

Remember, four years ago, the RPOF had someone dress as Flipper and follow Kerry around. I thought that was a bit over the top.

 

[JustaLocal]

I think it does warrant careful assessment of the politician and why he changed. Flip flopping causes me to question the strength of the candidate?s resolve. In some cases I have to wonder if the stalwart defender of a right, privilege, or position near and dear to my own heart, will tomorrow discard that support on a whim.

Many times I think it is a misinterpretation of a statement or position. I like when it causes discussion and clarification. I dislike when it becomes a mantra.

 

[traderx]

Remember, four years ago, the RPOF had someone dress as Flipper and follow Kerry around. I thought that was a bit over the top.

I thought that was because Kerry had "flipped" his medals over the White House fence? Or maybe he "flipped" them off? No?

 

[30A Skunkape]

This got me curious about the origin of the phrase "flip-flopper." I was thinking it may have been Lee Atwater who coined the term, but it's been used since the 1890's.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flip-flop_(politics)

Two things from the entry I found interesting --

First, " In the late 19th century, a U.S. politician was called "the Florida flopper" by an opponent, Safire noted." It's always Florida, isn't it?

Second, "Flip-flops are important when they reinforce a larger narrative about a candidate?s negative attribute", Kevin Madden, a senior official in the 2008 Republican presidential primary campaign of Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney This struck me as very true -- and probably why no one seems too up in arms over the position changes regardless of political persuasion.

What, hostile politics existed before Lee Atwater? I am shocked!

 

[jensieblue]

Remember the time????

Can anyone else remember a time when individuals, and governments, would be encouraged to constantly evaluate changing circumstances, new information/technologies and to develop policy based not on the past but rather on current circumstances...In fact it was considered a sign of intelligence to constantly learn, evaluate, re-evaluate and embrace change when indicated. The whole flip flop bruhaha is a sibling of the repubs successful submarining of the Kerry campaign. Now this rigid way of existing, you can't call it thinking has become a hallmark of American culture and politics. In my opinion, it is also an offshoot of the kill 'em at all costs, Karl Rove, level of thought. The goal is not to govern, it is to win at any cost, and then blame everything on the opposition.