The “Acela corridor” refers to the Northeast megalopolis that stretches roughly from Washington, D.C., through New York City, to Boston. Named after Amtrak’s high-speed Acela …
The term “strange bedfellows” describes politicians with seemingly opposing ideologies or interests who form an alliance for a specific political objective.
“Advice and Consent” is a critical phrase in the United States Constitution that outlines a key aspect of the checks and balances among the three …
A split ticket is when a voter chooses candidates from different political parties in the same election.
This practice reflects an individual’s willingness to evaluate …
Hideaways are personal, unmarked offices in the Capitol originally assigned to senior senators. They are often conveniently located near the Senate floor.
The hideaway location …
“Fence mending” means making an effort to repair a political relationship after it has been damaged.
This practice is often engaged in by politicians who …
The term “revolving door” refers to the practice where individuals move between roles in the public and private sectors, especially within industries that …
A “stemwinder” is a rousing political speech that galvanizes a crowd to take action.
It’s a speech that is able to capture the attention and …
The act of spreading negative rumors about a political candidate, in order to discredit him or her in the eyes of voters. This can also …
A “straw man” refers to an intentionally misrepresented proposition or argument that is set up because it is easier to defeat than an opponent’s real …
To be on the “bandwagon” is to follow a group that has a large and growing number of followers.
A bandwagon is literally a wagon …
The “coattail effect” is a phenomenon whereby a political candidate or leader’s popularity leads to improved vote totals for fellow party candidates further down the …
The Committee of the Whole is a procedural device used to expedite debates in the U.S. House of Representatives.
The House of Representatives uses this …
Straight ticket voting allows voters to choose every candidate on a single party’s slate by making just one ballot mark.
Over the years, many states …
A junket is a trip taken by a politicians with expenses paid for with public funds.
Junkets are a common practice in politics, and are …
A “Grand Bargain” refers to a broad, bipartisan agreement that aims to resolve complex and often contentious issues through significant concessions from both sides of …
An absentee ballot is a vote cast by someone who is unable to visit the official polling place on Election Day.
This type …
An exit poll is a survey of voters taken immediately as they leave the polling place in which they are asked which candidate they chose.…
A “Farley file” is a log kept by politicians on the people they have met previously.
It’s named for James A. Farley, who was …
The term “Democrat Party” is often employed by Republican critics as a slight against the Democratic Party.
The proper name is the Democratic Party, and …
A “recall election” allows voters to oust an elected official, by means of a direct vote,while that official is still in the middle …
The term “full Grassley” is a presidential campaign strategy where a candidate visits all 99 counties in the state of Iowa.
This strategy is named …
The phrase “off the reservation” is used to describe someone who deviates from the expected or orthodox position, particularly within a political party or ideological …
Earmarks are funds that are allocated to a specific program, project or for a designated purpose, or that direct specific exemptions from taxes or mandated …
“Packing” refers to the strategic manipulation of electoral district boundaries to concentrate as many voters of one party as possible into a single district.
The …
A blanket primary is a primary election whereby each voter can select one candidate per office regardless of party.
This primary is different from open …
A glad-hander is a highly extroverted person who makes a point of acting friendly in an over-the-top way.
However, in politics the term glad-hander connotes …
The term “deep regret” is often used as a carefully calibrated expression of apology or contrition without admitting legal or ethical wrongdoing.
The phrase is …
An “open primary” is an election that allows voters to select candidates on one party’s ballot without declaring their own party affiliation.
Open …
Named for their opening salutation, a “Dear Colleague letter” is an official communication distributed in bulk by a lawmaker to all members of Congress.
They …
“Cracking” refers to the gerrymandering practice of spreading voters of a particular group or party across multiple electoral districts in order to dilute their voting …
Petitioning is a phase in a campaign where organizers collect signatures from eligible voters to achieve a specific political objective.
This objective can vary widely, …
A recess appointment is a presidential appointment typically requiring Senate approval that is made during a Senate recess.
To be confirmed, the appointment must be …
The Electoral College is a constitutionally mandated process that determines who serves as president and vice president of the United States every four years.
It …
A “convention bounce” refers to the surge of support a presidential candidates may enjoy after the televised national convention of their party.
The size and …
Morning business is routine business that is supposed to occur during the first two hours of a new legislative day in the U.S. Senate.
This …
The phrase “misheard the question” is often invoked as a means of damage control when a politician gives an answer that generates negative attention or …
The Copperheads were Northern Democrats who opposed the Civil War and wanted a peace settlement with the Confederates.
Republicans started calling them Copperheads, likening them …
In a legislative context, to “lay on the table” refers to the action of temporarily postponing consideration of a motion or bill.
This is typically …
Broadly, a mandate is the authority that voters confer on an elected official to act as their representative.
Usually, though, a political mandate refers to …
The term “permanent campaign” was first coined by Sidney Blumenthal in his 1980 book, The Permanent Campaign.
The book explained how the breakdown in …