For officials at SUNY and CUNY, Mr. Paterson's willingness to change long-held practices in how the state uses tuition money has raised hope that the current crisis could provide an opportunity for a more far-reaching change in policy.
The insurrection, its leaders say, could lead to faster economic restructuring, a more assertive foreign policy and a willingness to break long-held taboos by taking such measures as watering down Japan's "peace Constitution," which nominally bars it from maintaining an army.
But dig a little deeper and major differences appear, especially when it comes to questions of morality, justice, repentance, the willingness to examine long-held beliefs, and the limitations of violence -- the last of these being the core theme of Gran Torino.
The liberals are already frustrated with the White House on issues like the Afghanistan war and what to do about the Bush-era tax cuts, which expire Dec. 31, and are increasingly uncertain about Mr. Obama's willingness to fight for long-held party priorities.
But both sides have softened on some long-held positions: Republicans have been showing a willingness to consider new revenue increases while Democrats have relaxed their hard line against new savings to the costly government-run Medicare and Medicaid healthcare programs.
When pressed by Hannity during the Fox interview, Rubio signaled a willingness to shift away from his long-held position that the United States should not create a class of permanent residents who have legal status to work here, but no chance at citizenship.
Upon winning, he announced his willingness to talk with them, breaking with a long-held policy against negotiating with them.
The willingness of Sunni states to openly deploy their militaries is a marked departure from their long-held preference that the US use its powerful military to protect their regional interests.
These findings challenge a long-held view.
She gave it, with long-held dimples.
