“With all due respect” is often employed as a rhetorical device to preface a statement of disagreement or critique, ostensibly cushioning the blow while drawing …
Unanimous consent is a legislative procedure whereby a legislator requests approval by all legislators to approve rule changes and bills.
The rules have been used …
The “aisle” refers to the space which divides the majority side from the minority on the House and Senate floor.
When debating, members frequently refer …
The phrase “my good friend” is often employed as a term of collegiality between politicians, regardless of their actual personal relationship or political alignment.
The …
The term “left-wing loony” or “loony left” is a pejorative description primarily used in American politics to describe someone perceived as holding fringe leftist views.…
The phrase “put politics aside” is an appeal to transcend partisan or ideological divides in order to address an issue of mutual concern.
Often invoked …
A “vetter” is an individual or team responsible for conducting thorough background checks and investigations into the qualifications and suitability of a candidate or appointee.…
In the context of politics, the phrase “shot/chaser” is typically used to describe a juxtaposition of two related yet contrasting pieces of information, often presented …
The “king of the hill” is a special rule in the House of Representatives for sequencing different amendments.
Under this rule, all of the proposed …
The phrase “vote your conscience” in politics carries a multifaceted meaning.
This expression is not merely a call to action — it embodies a fundamental …
A “surrogate” refers to an individual who publicly speaks on behalf of a candidate or elected official, typically to promote, defend, or explain their positions …
A “dark horse” is a candidate for office for whom little is known or for whom expectations are low, but who then goes on to …
A “charm offensive” refers to a coordinated campaign of personal engagement, public relations efforts, and sometimes even flattery, aimed at winning the favor or support …
“Throwing shade” refers to the act of publicly criticizing, demeaning, or subtly mocking a political opponent, often in a clever or nuanced manner.
Unlike more
Rough and tumble, attack-dog style political campaigns are sometimes referred to as pitbull politics.
In the same way, a pitbull politician is one who is …
A “listening tour” is a strategic series of meetings, events, or visits conducted by a politician or candidate to gather input, concerns, and perspectives from …
The term “cone of silence” refers to a situation or environment where sensitive information is strictly safeguarded from unauthorized individuals, including the media and sometimes …
Astroturfing is an artificially-manufactured political movement designed to give the appearance of grassroots activism.
It involves presenting a biased or skewed view of public …
The “Gish Gallop” is a rhetorical technique named after Duane Gish, a prominent figure in the creationist movement who used this method to overwhelm his …
The term “ranking member” refers to the most senior member of the minority party on a congressional committee in both the U.S. House of Representatives …
The term “motor voter” refers to a law in the United States that allows eligible citizens to register to vote when they apply …
“Political jujitsu” refers to the strategic practice of using an opponent’s actions, statements, or strategies against them to gain an advantage, much like the martial …
The phrase “wag the dog” refers to a strategy where a political leader engages in diversionary tactics—often involving military action or another high-stakes maneuver—to distract …
“It’s a long way to Tipperary” is often employed metaphorically to underscore the complexity and length of a political process, suggesting that achieving a particular …
“Probe with bayonets” refers to a cautious yet assertive approach to assessing the weaknesses or reactions of an opponent, often before making a significant move …
“Poke the bear” refers to the act of deliberately challenging or provoking a powerful individual, group, or nation, often with the risk of eliciting an …
In politics, the term “slash-and-burn” refers to a strategy of aggressively undermining existing policies or reputations to achieve a particular goal — often without much …
The term “weaponize” refers to the strategic manipulation or transformation of information, institutions, or social issues into tools for gaining political advantage.
This …
“Low information voters” refers to individuals who participate in electoral processes without a comprehensive understanding of the issues or candidates.
Such voters may make decisions …
“It’s just politics” is often invoked to downplay or rationalize actions, decisions, or maneuvers that may be contentious, controversial, or ethically murky.
It serves as …
The phrase “tell it like it is” is commonly used to describe politicians or pundits that are perceived as being forthright, candid, and unfiltered in …
The phrase “take our country back” is often employed as a rallying cry aimed at mobilizing voters around the idea of restoring a …
Pork barrel projects describes the appropriation of government spending for localized projects, usually secured primarily to bring money to a representative’s district.
The term “Orwellian” is often invoked to describe actions that evoke the themes of surveillance, authoritarianism, and manipulation of truth found in George Orwell’s dystopian …
The phrase “Nixon in China” refers to the paradoxical phenomenon where a leader takes an action that is unexpected or contrary to their established ideological …
In the context of politics, “low propensity voters” refers to individuals who are eligible to vote but have a history of infrequent participation in elections, …
The term “inartful” is often used to describe statements or actions that are clumsily executed or poorly communicated, potentially leading to misunderstandings or negative public …
The term “checks and balances” refers to the separation of powers that results from divided branches of government outlined in the U.S. Constitution.…
A pro forma session is a brief meeting of a legislative body, typically lasting only a few minutes, during which no formal business
The term “clown car” is often used pejoratively in politics to describe a large and unwieldy field of candidates vying for a particular office, usually …
The term “casework” refers to assistance provided by members of Congress to constituents who need help while filing a grievance with the federal government or …