to act irresolutely; vacillate;
to tremble with excitement or fear.

Link to present incidents:
A Conservative Party candidate has stepped down after a row over his comments, in a newspaper, that Enoch Powell was "right" on immigration. Nigel Hastilow, who was to stand in Halesowen and Rowley Regis, resigned after meeting the Tory party chairman.Labour minister Hazel Blears accused the Tories of "dithering" over whether to sack Mr Hastilow before he resigned.