“Kingfish” is the nickname for Huey P. Long, the one-time governor of Louisiana. Long was a divisive figure who played a larger than life role …
The “rally around the flag” effect is when there’s a short-term surge in voter approval as the nation unites behind its leader during a crisis …
“Misunderestimate” is a malapropism invented by President George W. Bush that has come to mean “to underestimate by mistake.”
Bush accidentally used the term in …
The term “lame duck” in politics refers to an elected official whose successor has already been elected or will be soon, and who is in …
A “fixer” refers to someone who solves problems or handles difficult situations for a politician.
This person is typically well-connected, highly resourceful, and possesses a …
A “grifter” is a con artist, someone who obtains money by swindling or tricking others.
In politics, the word refers to people who use the …
“Chicago-style politics” is a phrase used to characterize a supposedly offensive tough, “take-no-prisoners” or “hardball” approach to politics.
It often refers more specifically …
When it’s time to leave a race for public office, candidates often announce their “suspended campaign” instead of actually dropping out.
Practically speaking, there is …
Honest graft refers to the money-making opportunities that might arise while holding public office.
The activities are, strictly speaking, legal, although they might raise eyebrows …
A “boondoggle” is a wasteful or extravagant project with no practical value.
Usually, a boondoggle makes use of public funds and carries at least a …
The term “pol” is short for “politician” and is often used to refer to a person who is actively involved in politics, either as an
“All things to all men” is a phrase applied to politicians who seem to be making contradictory promises and statements so that they can appeal …
The New Frontier was the slogan which President John F. Kennedy used when setting out his vision of America’s future.
“The Great Mentioner” describes the phenomenon whereby certain people are “mentioned” to journalists as possible candidates for higher office.
It suggests that being mentioned or …
“Hiking the Appalachian Trail” is a euphemism for a politician who claims to be doing one thing but in reality went to meet with his …
The “plumbers” were a covert White House Special Investigations Unit established during the presidency of Richard Nixon.
The group’s task was to stop …
The “six-year itch” is the election held in the sixth year of a president’s tenure.
In this election, the party holding the White House historically …
A “wonk” is a person preoccupied with arcane details of public policy and governance.
For instance, a policy wonk takes an intense interest in the …
Realpolitik is a system of politics based on concrete, practical goals, rather than on morality or abstract ideals.
The Financial Times notes that in realpolitik, …
A barnstormer travels around the country or state making political appearances during a political campaign.
The events are typically set up by an advance man…
“Frugging” is an unethical fundraising tactic where a telemarketer falsely claims to be a researcher conducting a poll, when in reality the “researcher” is attempting …
A kleptocracy is a form of government in which leaders exploit national resources and steal; it is rule by thieves.
In a kleptocracy, those …
A “robocall” is an automated telephone call that delivers a prerecorded message to multiple phone numbers. Typically, robocalls are used for mass messaging.
Robocalls are …
Agitprop is political propaganda, especially in the form of art or literature, which is used to advance a political stance.
A portmanteau of …
A “Dorothy Dixer” is a planted or pre-arranged question asked of a government minister by a backbencher of his or her own political party during …
A jungle primary is an election in which all candidates for elected office run in the same primary regardless of political party.
It’s also known …
The “Washington Monument strategy” is named after a tactic used by the National Park Service to threaten closure of the popular Washington Monument when lawmakers …
A firehouse primary is a candidate nominating contest funded and overseen by a local party organization rather than public election officials.
A standard primary is …
A “money blurt” is the strategy of using a politician’s controversial statements to attract a large number of campaign donors.
The Washington Post explains how …
To be “thrown under the bus” is to be sacrificed by someone hoping to avoid blame themselves, often in order to make political gain.
It …
The term “oppo” refers to opposition research, a crucial activity undertaken by political entities to collect information on adversaries that could be used to their …
A party convention in which delegates are able to vote for the candidate of their choice, and are not tied to the results of primaries …
A “backbencher” is a junior member in the British House of Commons who occupies the back benches of Parliament, sitting behind party leaders and top …
A “steamroller” is someone who brings something about by means of brute political might.
A politician might be said to steamroll the opposition, or even …
“Borking” is attacking a person’s reputation and views for the purposes of denying them a political appointment.
Borking is characterized by intense scrutiny …
“Astrotweeting” is the creation of fake Twitter profiles to show support for a political candidate.
Bill White described the practice in an Texas Monthly interview …
“Smoke and mirrors” are tricks used to obscure the truth, usually through distraction, misdirection, or partial truths.
The tactic can also be used to draw …
“Roorback” is a false, dirty or slanderous story used for political advantage, usually about a candidate seeking political office.
It’s a classic dirty trick.…
A “by-election” is an election held to fill a political office that has become vacant between regularly scheduled elections.
Typically, they occur when the incumbent …
“Morning in America” is a phrase from a 1984 political ad for President Ronald Reagan’s re-election campaign to evoke a renewed American economic and social …
A “Mae West hold” is a type of Senate hold nicknamed because of the senator’s implied desire to make a deal, rather than block a …