The term “magic minute” refers to a procedural rule that allows leaders in the House of Representatives, typically the Speaker, unlimited speaking time, despite the …
“Wilderness years” are a period of time in a politician’s career when he or she is not holding a position of power. This may happen …
“It’s the economy stupid” was a phrase coined by James Carville in 1992, when he was advising Bill Clinton in his successful run …
A beauty contest refers to a unique, non-traditional form of primary where the focus is more on gauging candidate popularity and less on the direct …
“Greenwashing” is an attempt by a company to create the impression that a consumer product has benefits to the environment, even when it does not …
The Byrd rule is a parliamentary tripwire that prevents tangential material from being included in a budget reconciliation bill in the Senate.
Reconciliation legislation is …
A “trial balloon” describes a test of public opinion or reaction to a particular idea, proposal or policy.
It is done by releasing information about
“Nobody drowned at Watergate” was a phrase used, especially by supporters of President Richard Nixon, to minimize the impact of the Watergate scandal and to …
Hustings are the speeches and campaign events associated with an election cycle.
“On the hustings” is a synonym for being out campaigning, but …
“The cover-up is worse than the crime” refers to the idea that attempts to conceal or obscure wrongdoing can lead to more severe consequences than …
A Bircher is an adherent to the teachings and philosophies of the John Birch Society, an anti-communist organization founded in 1958.
The heyday of the …
A “thousand points of light” was a slogan used frequently by former president George H.W. Bush to praise volunteerism and individualism.
He first used it …
Throwing one’s “hat in the ring” means announcing one’s intention to compete in a contest.
In politics, it means running for political office in an …
“Grass will grow in the streets” is a gloom-and-doom phrase sometimes used by politicians to imply that the country will go to economic ruin if …
In 1948, when President Truman was running for re-election, he frequently attacked the Republican-controlled Congress as the “do-nothing Congress.”
In fact, the 80th Congress passed …
A “gutter flyer” is a political attack ad, traditionally distributed in paper form. It is also typically anonymous, so that nobody can be held accountable …
The Great Society was a sweeping set of proposals for social reform, put forward by President Lyndon Johnson in 1964 and aimed at improving access …
The acronym CREEP is short for The Committee for the Re-election of the President, which in 1972 was the fundraising organization of then-president Richard Nixon’s …
“Little Tin Box” is the title of a song in the 1959 musical, “Fiorello,” which told the story of one of New York City’s most …
A “fifth column” is a group which operates in secret, usually within enemy lines, in order to help further a cause which they secretly support. …
“Don’t change horses” is a phrase used to urge voters to stick with the incumbent president during times of turmoil and conflict.
The full expression …
A “honeymoon period” is a period of popularity enjoyed by a new leader.
Usually, the term refers to an incoming president but it can refer …
To “electioneer” is to actively take part in an election by working for the election of a candidate or a party.
The word is almost …
“Third-rate burglary” is a phrase which President Richard Nixon’s press secretary used to describe the Watergate break-in.
In June 1972, five men were arrested while …
“I am the law” is a phrase attributed to Frank Hague, the mayor of Jersey City from 1917 until he retired in 1947.
He is …
The “eunuch rule” is a reference to the provisions in many state constitutions which prevented state governors from running for a second consecutive term in …
The phrase “heartbeat away from the presidency” refers to the fact that the vice president will automatically succeed the presidency in the case of the …
“Bird-dogging” is a term that originates from hunting, where a bird dog is trained to sniff out and point towards game birds, but in politics …
“Loose lips sink ships” is a phrase that originated from a wartime propaganda poster during World War II, and it was used to …
“John Q. Public” is a generic name used in the United States to denote a typical member of the general public or an average citizen.…
“Guns before butter” refers to the debate over how governments should use their revenue: should resources be used to build up the military, or should …
A “grand design” refers to any kind of deliberate plan of action. In politics, the term is usually used to mean an overarching strategy or …
The “Final Solution” was a euphemistic name used by Nazi leaders for their plan to exterminate all of the Jews in Europe.
The plan’s full …
The practice of backing up diplomatic efforts with a visible show of military might.
A nation using gunboat diplomacy is making use of implicit military …
In politics, gridlock is a situation in which the government is unable to pass new legislation, often because the presidency and the Congress are controlled …
“Go fight City Hall” is a phrase expressing the futility of trying to battle government bureaucracy.
The phrase sounds like a call to action but …
The term “Speaker Emerita” is a title bestowed on a former Speaker of the House of Representatives in the United States who has left the …
In politics, a “fat cat” is a rich and influential person, usually one who donates generously to political campaigns.
The expression suggests that the person …
A “cabal” is a group of people involved in a secret plot or conspiracy.
The term can also refer to the plot itself, or to …
The grassroots are the ordinary people in a region, or in a political party.
The “grassroots” level is the opposite of the leadership level. In …
To be “on the fence” is to be hesitant about taking a political stance.
Someone who is “on the fence” resists joining one side or …