Spoiler
A “spoiler” is a candidate who has no chance of winning, but whose candidacy still impacts the outcome of the election.
Word of the Day
Thursday, November 12, 2026
Mandate
Broadly, a mandate is the authority that voters confer on an elected official to act as their representative.
Popular right now
What readers are looking up this week- Cloakroom
- Dummymander
- It’s the Economy Stupid
- Witch Hunt
- Chicken in Every Pot
- Ballot-Stacking
- Lame Duck Session
- Send Them a Message
- Low Propensity Voters
- Checks and Balances
In the newsFrom Political Wire
- CloakroomHaley Stevens Was in the GOP Cloakroom for First Votes
- Witch HuntSteve Scalise Tells GOP Chairs to Prep for Investigations
- Lame Duck SessionRepublicans Struggle to Find One Last Win in Congress
- Send Them a MessageSome Want More Than a Hakeem Jeffries Victory
- SupermajorityState Capitols Become Democrats’ Real Prize
- FilibusterSchumer Plots ‘Durable Majority’ That Flirts with 60 Seats
Political Trivia
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Kangaroo Ticket
A “kangaroo ticket” is a ticket for higher office in which the person at the bottom of the ticket is considered more electable or is more well-known than the person…
You’re No Jack Kennedy
“You’re no Jack Kennedy” is a phrase used to deflate politicians who are perceived as thinking too highly of themselves.
Arsenal of Democracy
“Arsenal of democracy” is a term that was first coined by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in a radio address to the nation on December 29, 1940.
Godwin’s Law
Godwin’s Law is a term first promulgated in 1990 by author and lawyer Mike Godwin.
Heck of a Job
A “heck of a job” is a complete and total screw-up.