The “spoils system” describes when a candidate wins election and then rewards campaign staffers and fundraisers by appointing them to prized jobs in the administration. …
Releasing bad news or documents on a Friday afternoon in an attempt to avoid media scrutiny is often called a “Friday news dump” by members …
“Soft power” is the ability to obtain what one wants through co-option rather than the use of coercion.
In recent years, the concept of soft …
In the second half of the 20th century, the Republican party used the so-called “Southern strategy” to win the votes of white southerners.
White southerners …
“Triangulation” is when a political candidate presents his or her views as being above and between the left and right sides of the …
The U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate each have a sergeant-at-arms, whose job it is to maintain order in the legislative chamber.
The sergeant-at-arms …
A “flip-flop” is a sudden reversal of opinion or policy by a politician, usually running for office.
The term is often used pejoratively to suggest …
The term “Teflon president” describes a president who has a seemingly magical ability to avoid blame.
A Teflon president is so charismatic that — like …
Aardvarking is recruiting candidates for public office with the main objective of having their names begin with the letter A.
The practice of aardvarking is …
“Beltway bandits” describes a private business or political entity that operates inside the Beltway, the interstate highway that encircles Washington, D.C.
More specifically, the …
The “Washington Read” is the phenomenon by which, through a form of intellectual osmosis, a book is absorbed “inside the Beltway.”
From the …
A “Cherokee Strip” is the seating area in the U.S. Senate chamber when some members of the majority party mist sit on the side of …
To have your opponent by the “short hairs” means that you’ve got them in a tight spot, and they are at your mercy.
If you’re …
A “scorched earth” approach is a ruthless attempt to win at all costs.
A “take no prisoners” approach is a rough synonym; both terms imply …
In politics, a “turkey farm” refers to a government agency or department that is staffed primarily with political appointments and other patronage hires.
In …
“Smell of jet fuel” is a reference to the impatience that sets in when Members of Congress are ready to leave Washington, D.C. to return …
“Chum” is campaign gear such as bumper stickers, lawn signs, and campaign buttons.
The concept of chum draws its metaphorical origins from the practice of …
The “full Ginsburg” refers to an appearance by one person on all five major Sunday-morning interview shows on the same day:
“Spin Alley” is the place designated after a political debate where reporters interview analysts and campaign operatives who attempt to “spin” the news coverage of …
A “favorite son” candidate is one who draws their support from the home state or from the broader region. Sometimes the term is also used …
A “push poll” is a form of interactive marketing in which political operatives try to sway voters to believe in certain policies or candidates under …
A “discharge petition” is a strategic, often controversial, legislative tool that serves to circumvent traditional committee review and bring a bill directly to …
The “cracker vote” refers to native Floridian white voters, whose families have typically lived in the state for generations.
The term “cracker” originated in the …
The “Fourth Estate” refers to the news media, especially with regards to their role in the political process.
The phrase has its origins in the …
A “straw poll” refers to an informal or unofficial vote conducted to gauge the popularity of candidates running for office, or to measure the opinion …
“Political suicide” is an unpopular action that is likely to cause significant harm to their reputation, electoral success, or power within their organization.
These actions …
The use of a “killer amendment” — sometimes called a “poison poll amendment” or “wrecking amendment” — is a legislative strategy of using an amendment …
An “elastic state” is one whose voting outcome in a presidential election is relatively sensitive or responsive to changes in political conditions, such as a …
A “push card” is a small, easy access, wallet-sized campaign sign typically given to a potential voter during door-to-door canvassing or at an event.
They’re …
In politics, “mudslinging” is a tactic used by candidates or other politicians in order to damage the reputation of a rival politician by using epithets, …
“Heroes in the balcony” refers to a tradition started by President Ronald Reagan during his State of the Union addresses.
It involves inviting ordinary citizens …
Talking points refer to the carefully crafted messages, statements, or ideas that politicians, political parties, or interest groups use to convey their opinions, policy positions, …
A “gaffe” is an unintentional comment that causes a politician embarrassment.
The term is often used to describe a inartful comment or a misstatement that
An exploratory committee is a preliminary organizational structure that potential candidates establish to assess the viability of their candidacy before officially entering the presidential race.…
A “front-porch campaign” is one in which the candidate stays close to home throughout the election race.
Instead of crisscrossing the country to woo voters, …
“Bundling” refers to the practice of collecting contributions from multiple donors and submitting them to a political campaign or political action committee (PAC) as a …
An invisible primary begins when a candidate formally announces their plans to run for office.
It’s an opportunity to find out how much support they …
“Netroots” is grassroots political activism organized through blogs and other online social media.
Netroots activism emerged as a powerful force in U.S. politics during the …
The “well” refers to the area at the front of the chamber where the Speaker of the House of Representatives and other leaders of the …
A “straw donor” is an individual who illegally uses another person’s money to make a political contribution in their own name.
This practice is considered …
A “cattle call” is a public event at which a big group of candidates for public office all speak.
The term comes from the acting …