Making an argument, or responding to one, in such a way that it does not make it at all clear what your position is. This puts you in a position to back out of your claim at any time and go in a new direction without penalty, claiming that you were “right” all along.
Examples:
- _Reporter: Mr. Congressman, where do you stand on the clean water vs. new factory issue?
Congressman: Of course, I want our state to have the cleanest water possible. I can appreciate the petition against the new factory as I can also appreciate the..._
Synonyms: failure to assert, diminished claim, failure to choose sides