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franking privileges

Franking privileges allow lawmakers to send mail to constituents without having to pay postage.

A copy of the member’s signature replaces the stamp on the envelope.

franking privileges

Authentic signatures of famous individuals are often valuable collectors’ items.

Franking privileges …

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RINO

Republican In Name Only — or RINO, for short — is a disparaging term that refers to a Republican candidate whose political views are seen as insufficiently conforming to the party line.

The phrase became first …

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Bradley effect

The “Bradley effect” is a polling phenomenon involving high support for non-white and non-female candidates in opinion polls not reflected by election results.

This phenomenon was coined following Tom Bradley’s (D) run for California governor in 1982.

Bradley, …

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smoke-filled room

A “smoke-filled room” is used to describe a situation where politicians or other powerful individuals gather in a private, enclosed space to make important decisions or negotiations without public scrutiny.

The term originated in the early 20th century, …

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checks and balances

The term “checks and balances” refers to the separation of powers that results from divided branches of government outlined in the U.S. Constitution.

The U.S. divides power among the three branches of government — executive, legislative, and judicial …

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