Flip-flop (politics)
A "flip-flop" (used mostly in the United States), U-turn (used in the United Kingdom and Ireland), or backflip (used in Australia and New Zealand) is a sudden real or apparent change of policy or opinion by a public official, sometimes while trying to claim that both positions are consistent with each other. Often it will occur during the period prior to or following an election in order to maximize the candidate's popularity.
Although the terms are often used against elected officials, non-elected public officials can also be accused of flip-flopping. Ben Bernanke, chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board, was accused of "an apparent flip-flop" in 2007. Lawyers sometimes accuse their opponents of a flip-flopping as well.
Read more about Flip-flop (politics): Examples, History, Exculpatory, Ameliorating and Aggravating Circumstances Affecting Public Reaction, Non-political Use