Battleground State
The terms “battleground state” and “swing state” refer to states that have closely divided support for Democratic and Republican presidential candidates. They are also sometimes …
The terms “battleground state” and “swing state” refer to states that have closely divided support for Democratic and Republican presidential candidates. They are also sometimes …
“Woke” is a term that has evolved and expanded in usage, particularly within political and cultural discourse.
The term is connected to the broader concept …
A political football is an otherwise non-partisan issue which politicians try to capitalize on and turn to their advantage.
Something is said to be a …
The “Daisy ad” is a political advertisement that aired only once during the 1964 U.S. presidential campaign but has since become emblematic of …
Gaslighting is a form of psychological manipulation that seeks to sow seeds of doubt in a targeted individual or group.
It makes them …
“Obstructionism” is the act of deliberately stalling, delaying, or preventing legislation from being passed.
It is a tactic used to delay, alter, or prevent specific …
The term “snowflake” has become a notable expression in contemporary political discourse, particularly within the United States.
As a political term, it is …
The term “young guns” is often used to refer to a group of up-and-coming, ambitious individuals who are seen as the future leaders or influencers …
In politics, “vetting” refers to the process of thoroughly investigating and evaluating a candidate’s background, qualifications, and character before they are selected for a political …
The term “going rogue” is used to describe a situation where a politician breaks with established norms and party lines.
This can involve expressing …
A “true believer” refers to an individual who passionately supports a particular ideology, political party, or politician with unwavering conviction.
Such individuals often hold their …
“Movers and shakers” are those who have power and influence in business, politics, or other segments of the public sphere.
Party leadership, committee leaders, or …
To “pussyfoot” is to proceed with caution, to move warily but steadily or to sidestep an issue as to not take a side.
It is …
The term “mollycoddle” means to treat certain constituents or voters in an almost absurdly overprotective way.
Typically used in the context of the “welfare state” …
The “nuclear option” is a metaphorical term that refers to a parliamentary procedure in the U.S. Senate allowing for a significant change to the rules …
An “old bull” is a powerful and influential Member of Congress.
Old bulls are typically senior members who have worked their way into positions of …
Shuttle diplomacy is a method of negotiation where an intermediary, often a high-profile figure, travels back and forth between parties who are either unwilling to …
The term “party line” refers to the officially agreed-upon policy positions of a political party.
It can also refer to the way in which members …
Class warfare refers to the tension and struggle between different socioeconomic classes, often framed as the conflict between the wealthy and the working classes.…
The term “double-max” refers to a practice in campaign finance where an individual contributes the maximum allowed amount to a candidate’s primary and general election …
The “deduct box” was the locked box where legendary Louisiana Gov. Huey Long kept “deducts” from state employee salaries to fund his political operation.
Estimates …
Electability refers to a political candidate’s perceived ability to win an election, as assessed by voters, party insiders, political pundits, and the media.
It encapsulates …
A tag-team hold is when two or more senators agree to circumvent a 2011 resolution limiting secret senate holds to two days.
One senator will …
The term “silent majority” refers to a large block of voters that feel marginalized, silenced or underserved by the political system.
It’s commonly assumed that, …
“Nut-cutting time” is when drastic actions are required, because all other methods have failed. The phrase is used in sports as well as in politics.…
“Mama Grizzlies” is a metaphor used by 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin for conservative women.
Palin used the metaphor of a mother grizzly …
“Potomac fever” is the condition where a politician is gripped by a desire to stay in government, whether to make a change or for power’s …
A “shy voter” is one who does not admit to supporting a certain candidate to pollsters, but still votes for that candidate in the election.…
Strategery is a fictional word coined by comedy writer Jim Downey in a now famous Saturday Night Live sketch written to lampoon former president George …
The term “muckety muck” refers to individuals who hold significant power, influence, or high rank within politics.
It can be a somewhat dismissive or derogatory …
The “rally around the flag” effect is when there’s a short-term surge in voter approval as the nation unites behind its leader during a crisis …
A “puppet state” is a country that claims to be independent, but is actually controlled by an outside state or other foreign power.
“Bed-wetting” refers to someone who expresses doubt or excessive worry about a political outcome.
The term “bed-wetting” in politics has roots in psychological analogies.
Much …
“Quockerwodger” is a rather obscure and rarely used term in modern political discourse.
It refers to politicians who are not truly representing their constituents or …
Sandbagging is deceptive behavior intended to lower someone’s expectations so that they can be taken by surprise later.
Typically, sandbagging involves lulling someone into a …
“Rumsfeld’s Rules” are a series of aphorisms, sayings, and observations about life in leadership, business, and politics by Donald Rumsfeld, who was a Congressman, …
“Running between the raindrops” is to dodge or deflect repeated political attacks.
These politicians are seen as skillful or even lucky, as they seem to …
A “stalking horse” is a candidate put forward in an election to conceal an anonymous person’s potential candidacy.
If the idea of the campaign proves …
The term “squish” is often used as a pejorative to describe a politician, typically within the context of their own party, who is perceived as …
“Both-sidesing” is a term often used in political discourse to describe a tendency in media reporting where journalists, in their effort to maintain a sense …
In politics, a “bargaining chip” refers to something that is used as leverage in a negotiation, an attempt to pass legislation, or an effort to …
A “youthquake” is social, cultural, or political change brought about by young people.
The term encapsulates the increased political engagement, activism, and participation from the …
A “bridge builder” is a politician or diplomat who actively works to create or improve relationships, foster cooperation, and promote understanding among diverse groups or …
The term “alternative facts” was a phrase coined by White House adviser Kellyanne Conway to defend a false statement by press secretary Sean Spicer about …
Honest graft refers to the money-making opportunities that might arise while holding public office.
The activities are, strictly speaking, legal, although they might raise eyebrows …
A “tracker” is an individual who is tasked with closely following and documenting the public appearances, speeches, and activities of a political candidate, particularly an …
An “attack dog” in politics is a person, usually a politician or a political operative, who is designated to aggressively challenge and criticize the opposition.…
“Limousine liberal” is pejorative for wealthy liberals who do not want to bear the cost of the liberal policies they support.
It is typically used …
“Amen corner” is a term used in politics to refer to a group of people or legislators who always support or agree with a particular …
“McConnelling” is the practice of setting music to awkward, B-roll footage of a politician.
The term was coined after Sen. Mitch McConnell’s (R-KY) re-election campaign …
The term “goo goo” is short for “good government guys,” referring to people who would fight for government reform.
This was used during the 1970s …
An “ego wall” is where people flaunt their political connections by displaying photos of themselves with more famous people.
As Mike Nichols observed:
…“The ego
A “fixer” refers is someone who solves problems or handles difficult situations for a politician.
This person is typically well-connected, highly resourceful, and possesses a …
A “bomb thrower” is used metaphorically to describe a person — often a politician or political operative — who uses provocative, inflammatory, or extreme rhetoric …
“All things to all men” is a phrase applied to politicians who seem to be making contradictory promises and statements so that they can appeal …
The New Frontier was the slogan which President John F. Kennedy used when setting out his vision of America’s future.
“Hiking the Appalachian Trail” is a euphemism for a politician who claims to be doing one thing but in reality went to meet with his …
A “wave election” is a term used to describe a significant electoral shift in which one political party makes substantial gains in seats …
The “six-year itch” is the election held in the sixth year of a president’s tenure.
In this election, the party holding the White House historically …
A DINO — or Democrat In Name Only — is a disparaging term that refers to a Democratic candidate whose political views are seen as …
The term “pol” is short for “politician” and is often used to refer to a person who is actively involved in politics, either as an
The term “cuckservative” is a pejorative used by alt-Right conservatives to insult moderate Republicans.
It implies they have sold out and is similar to the …
“The Great Mentioner” describes the phenomenon whereby certain people are “mentioned” to journalists as possible candidates for higher office.
It suggests that being mentioned or …
A “boondoggle” is a wasteful or extravagant project with no practical value.
Usually, a boondoggle makes use of public funds and carries at least a …
“Misunderestimate” is a malapropism invented by President George W. Bush that has come to mean “to underestimate by mistake.”
Bush accidentally used the term in …
The Hastert rule is an informal guiding principle for leaders in the House of Representatives that dictates a majority of the majority party support any …
A “lid” is what White House press secretaries use to indicate that there will be no news coming out of the White House …
A “wonk” is a person preoccupied with arcane details of public policy and governance.
For instance, a policy wonk takes an intense interest in the …
The “Washington Monument strategy” is named after a tactic used by the National Park Service to threaten closure of the popular Washington Monument when lawmakers …
When it’s time to leave a race for public office, candidates often announce their “suspended campaign” instead of actually dropping out.
Practically speaking, there is …
A “grifter” is a con artist, someone who obtains money by swindling or tricking others.
In politics, the word refers to people who use the …
A firehouse primary is a candidate nominating contest funded and overseen by a local party organization rather than public election officials.
A standard primary is …
The term “lame duck” in politics refers to an elected official whose successor has already been elected or will be soon, and who is in …
A “robocall” is an automated telephone call that delivers a prerecorded message to multiple phone numbers. Typically, robocalls are used for mass messaging.
Robocalls are …
A barnstormer travels around the country or state making political appearances during a political campaign.
The events are typically set up by an advance man…
A party convention in which delegates are able to vote for the candidate of their choice, and are not tied to the results of primaries …
“Roorback” is a false, dirty or slanderous story used for political advantage, usually about a candidate seeking political office.
It’s a classic dirty trick.…
“Astrotweeting” is the creation of fake Twitter profiles to show support for a political candidate.
Bill White described the practice in an Texas Monthly interview …
A “backbencher” is a junior member in the British House of Commons who occupies the back benches of Parliament, sitting behind party leaders and top …
A “Dorothy Dixer” is a planted or pre-arranged question asked of a government minister by a backbencher of his or her own political party during …
A “by-election” is an election held to fill a political office that has become vacant between regularly scheduled elections.
Typically, they occur when the incumbent …
“Chicago-style politics” is a phrase used to characterize a supposedly offensive tough, “take-no-prisoners” or “hardball” approach to politics.
It often refers more specifically …
A jungle primary is an election in which all candidates for elected office run in the same primary regardless of political party.
It’s also known …
A “money blurt” is the strategy of using a politician’s controversial statements to attract a large number of campaign donors.
The Washington Post explains how …
The “plumbers” were a covert White House Special Investigations Unit established during the presidency of Richard Nixon.
The group’s task was to stop …
“Borking” is attacking a person’s reputation and views for the purposes of denying them a political appointment.
Borking is characterized by intense scrutiny …
“Frugging” is an unethical fundraising tactic where a telemarketer falsely claims to be a researcher conducting a poll, when in reality the “researcher” is attempting …
Realpolitik is a system of politics based on concrete, practical goals, rather than on morality or abstract ideals.
The Financial Times notes that in realpolitik, …
A “Mae West hold” is a type of Senate hold nicknamed because of the senator’s implied desire to make a deal, rather than block a …
To be “thrown under the bus” is to be sacrificed by someone hoping to avoid blame themselves, often in order to make political gain.
It …
A “steamroller” is someone who brings something about by means of brute political might.
A politician might be said to steamroll the opposition, or even …
A brokered convention takes place when no one candidate wins a majority delegates during the presidential primary to earn their party’s nomination in …
A “pen and pad briefing” is a briefing held by lawmakers or White House officials at which video and photography is not allowed.
It’s similar …
“Morning in America” is a phrase from a 1984 political ad for President Ronald Reagan’s re-election campaign to evoke a renewed American economic and social …
Agitprop is political propaganda, especially in the form of art or literature, which is used to advance a political stance.
A portmanteau of …
“Dummymander” is a play on the term “gerrymander,” and it refers to a redrawing of a district map that actually ends up benefiting …
GOTV is an acronym for “get out the vote” or increasing voter turnout in an election.
It involves various activities and initiatives to …
A “motion to vacate” the chair is a parliamentary procedure in the House of Representatives that allows a member to propose a resolution to remove …
The term “party faithful” refers to individuals who demonstrate unwavering loyalty and commitment to a specific political party.
These individuals are dedicated supporters and advocates …
“Kingfish” is the nickname for Huey P. Long, the one-time governor of Louisiana.
Long was a divisive figure who played a larger than life role …
To “poison the well” is to pre-emptively present adverse information to an audience, with the intention of discrediting or ridiculing what another politician intends to …