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The “Green Lantern Theory” is how political scientists describe the belief that presidents could do more if they just tried a bit harder.

The term refers to the DC Comics superhero whose power is limited only by his willpower.

Dartmouth …

The “Election Administrator’s Prayer” is a phrase that is used to refer to the challenges and responsibilities faced by those who are responsible for administering elections.

The phrase is meant to be humorous and tongue-in-cheek, highlighting the many difficult and …

“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 can include making unpopular or controversial decisions, engaging in unethical or illegal behavior, or failing …

A “snollygoster” is a political operative or candidate who uses cunning or ethically questionable behavior to achieve power.

The term snollygoster is traced back to 1846 by Merriam-Webster with a strong preference for the word among Southern politicians starting in …

A pocket veto is a legislative tactic that allows the president to indirectly veto a bill.

The U.S. Constitution requires the President to sign a bill within the 10 days if Congress is in session. If Congress is in session …

A “carpetbagger” is a politician who runs for office or tries to appeal to a constituency in a geographic area where he or she has no roots or connection.

The term traces its roots back to the Civil …

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.

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

Franking privileges …

Leader time is the ten minute time allotted to Senate leaders at the start of the daily session.

It refers to a period set aside at the start of each legislative day for the Majority Leader and Minority Leader of …

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, or arguments to the public.

Talking points are an essential tool for candidates and campaigns …

The “incumbent rule” is a rule of thumb used by pollsters that says incumbents rarely get a higher percentage in the election than they receive in polls, and that voters still undecided on the very last poll tend to “break” …

The term “inside baseball” refers to any subject matter which is considered too highly specialized to be appreciated by the general public.

In politics, inside baseball usually refers to the technical details and the finer points of political strategy, as …

The “advance man” is someone who makes arrangements and handles publicity for the candidate during a campaign.

The advance man travels to a location ahead of the candidate’s arrival and sets everything up so that things run smoothly for the …

A “cookie-cutter campaigns” are political campaigns run by political consultants who use virtually identical strategies in different jurisdictions. The typical sign of such campaigns are websites or direct mail advertisements that use identical layouts and stock photographs.

The increased number …

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 …

“Cutting turf” is plotting canvassing routes for campaign workers to knock on doors.

The term refers to the process of breaking up a precinct map into smaller “turfs” that each contain a certain number of houses or voters.…

In politics, a public event at which a big group of political candidates all speak.

The term comes from the acting world, where a “cattle call” is a massive audition to fill a part in a movie or play. Merriam …

In politics, fence mending means making an effort to repair a political relationship after it has been damaged.

The term was first used in 1879 by John Sherman. Sherman, the younger brother of the Civil War hero William Tecumseh …

The term “vote-a-rama” is used to refer to a marathon session of voting in the United States Senate.

This typically occurs during the consideration of a budget resolution, which is a non-binding document that outlines the priorities and spending plans …

Shivercrats were a conservative faction of the Texas Democratic Party in the 1950s named for Texas Gov. Allan Shivers (D).

The term was first used in 1952 after Shivers backed Republican Dwight Eisenhower for president over Democrat Adlai Stevenson.

Interestingly, …

“Advice and Consent” is a critical phrase in the United States Constitution that outlines a key aspect of the checks and balances among the three branches of government — Executive, Legislative, and Judicial.

This term is used to define the …

“Merchants of death” is a reference to the bankers and arms manufacturers that supplied and funded World War I.

The phrase is also used to refer to arms dealers in general.

The term has also been extended to other industries.…

The “candy desk” is where a supply of candy is kept in the U.S. Senate.

Sen. George Murphy (R-CA) originated the practice of keeping a supply of candy in his desk for the enjoyment of his colleagues in 1965.

Soon …

A term “teabaggers” is a derogatory nickname used to refer to supporters of the conservative “Tea Party” movement.

CBS News: “It’s the sort of word you might expect to hear from a smirking 14-year-old boy: Critics of the Tea …

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.

This committee is formed with the primary aim of gauging support, raising funds, and developing …

A split ticket is when a voter chooses candidates from different political parties in the same election.

This practice reflects an individual’s willingness to evaluate candidates on their merits, rather than strictly adhering to party lines.

Split-ticket voting can …

The “coattail effect” is a phenomenon whereby a political candidate or leader’s popularity leads to improved vote totals for fellow party candidates further down the ballot.

A coattail refers to a part of the coat extending below the waist that …

To be on the “bandwagon” is to follow a group that has a large and growing number of followers.

A bandwagon is literally a wagon which carries the band in a parade. The phrase “jump on the bandwagon” first appeared …

Hideaways are personal, unmarked offices in the Capitol originally assigned to senior senators. They are often conveniently located near the Senate floor.

The hideaway location of an individual Senator is a closely held secret, most with no names on the …

The mark-up is the committee meeting held to review the text of a bill before reporting it to the floor.

The term comes from the action of marking the draft bill with changes or corrections in preparation for its potential …

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, …

The Blue Dog Democrats are a coalition of moderate House Democrats.

The group is dedicated to fiscally conservative legislation and a strong national defense. They present themselves as the “commonsense” alternative to political extremism.

When the blue dog coalition was …

The Congressional Record is the official record of the proceedings and debates of the United States Congress.

It is a comprehensive and authoritative reference source that provides a written account of everything said on the floor of the House of …

Two politicians are “strange bedfellows” if they have made an unusual political alliance.

The term comes from Shakespeare’s The Tempest when a storm causes Trinculo to seek shelter under a sheet with Caliban, whom he regards as an enemy. “There …

A Shermanesque statement is a clear and direct statement by a potential political candidate indicating that he or she will not run for a particular office.

The term is derived from a remark made by Gen. William Tecumseh …

A junket is a trip taken by a politicians with expenses paid for with public funds.

Junkets are a common practice in politics, and are often used as a way for politicians and government officials to travel to other countries …

A “gaffe” is an unintentional comment that causes a politician embarrassment.

Fusion voting allows a candidate’s name to appear on multiple parties’ ballot lines, and to combine his or her votes from those lines.

The practice was widespread in the 19th century, as Democrats benefited from fusion tickets with populist parties, …

An absentee ballot is a vote cast by someone who is unable to visit the official polling place on Election Day.

This type of vote is normally submitted by mail.

Increasing the ease of access to absentee ballots are seen …

An “open primary” is an election that allows voters to select candidates on one party’s ballot without declaring their own party affiliation.

Open primaries are often contrasted with closed primaries, in which only registered members of a …

A blanket primary is a primary election whereby each voter can select one candidate per office regardless of party. This primary is different from open or closed primaries, which require each ballot to only feature votes for candidates from …

A “Farley file” is a log kept by politicians on people they have met previously.

It’s named for James A. Farley, who was Franklin Roosevelt’s campaign manager and later became chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

Farley kept a …

A “stemwinder” is a rousing political speech that galvanizes a crowd to take action.

It’s a speech that is able to capture the attention and enthusiasm of the audience, and that is able to persuade and motivate them to support …

Earmarks are funds that are allocated to a specific program, project or for a designated purpose, or that direct specific exemptions from taxes or mandated fees.

These projects or exemptions typically benefit a particular constituency, often within the home district …

A “body man” is an assistant who follows a political figure around the clock, providing logistical assistance for daily tasks ranging from paperwork to meals.

This is different than the advance man who typically prepares solely for campaign events.

The …

The term “permanent campaign” was first coined by Sidney Blumenthal in his 1980 book, The Permanent Campaign.

The book explained how the breakdown in political parties forced politicians to govern in different ways. Instead of relying on patronage and …

Straight ticket voting allows voters to choose every candidate on a single party’s slate by making just one ballot mark.

Over the years, many states that once allowed straight ticket voting have abolished it. In 2020, only seven states …

A “recall election” allows voters to oust an elected official, by means of a direct vote,while that official is still  in the middle of their term.

Recall elections are relatively rare and usually take place after the official …

Someone who is “out of the loop” is uniformed or not given access to shared information, especially to information which is shared informally and on an continual basis, in a grapevine. 

A person who is out of the loop may …

Morning business is routine business that is supposed to occur during the first two hours of a new legislative day in the U.S. Senate.

This business includes receiving messages from the President and from the other legislative chamber, reports from …

Cats and dogs are are leftover “stray” bills on minor subjects saved for days when the House or Senate have light floor schedules.…

The “power behind the throne” is said to be someone who does not hold an official leadership position but who effectively wields control.

The phrase is usually used in the context of government, to describe someone who is close to …

The Committee of the Whole is a procedural device used to expedite debates in the U.S. House of Representatives.

To use it, the House adjourns and enters into a committee, with all representatives being members – this procedure allows congressmen …

A convention bounce refers to the surge of support a presidential candidates may enjoy after the televised national convention of their party.

The size and impact of a convention bounce is sometimes seen as an early indicator of party unity.…

A glad hander is a highly extroverted person who makes a point of acting friendly in an over-the-top way.

However, in politics the term glad-hander connotes insincerity and opportunism.

Glad-handers are also referred to as back slappers and they’re really …

An exit poll is a survey of voters taken immediately as they leave the polling place in which they are asked which candidate they chose.

The Electoral College is a constitutionally mandated process that determines who serves as president and vice president of the United States every four years.

It was a compromise between having Congress elect the president and a direct election by popular …

Named for their opening salutation, a “Dear Colleague letter” is an official communication distributed in bulk by a lawmaker to all members of Congress.

They can be used to inform other members about an upcoming hearing or vote, to request …

Broadly, a mandate is the authority that voters confer on an elected official to act as their representative.

Usually, though, a political mandate refers to the idea that a political official has been elected because the public strongly supports their …

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 to their party affiliation as “my side of the aisle.”

When facing the front of …

Petitioning is a phase in a campaign where organizers collect signatures to put a candidate’s name on the ballot.

How many signatures are needed depends on the jurisdiction and the office sought; some states allow candidates to pay a fee …

The “king of the hill” is a special rule in the House for sequencing different amendments. If more than one version receives a majority of votes, the last one to win a majority prevails.

An excerpt from The American Congress…

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 relentlessly aggressive and doggedly partisan. 

The term dates back at least to the late 20th …

The Copperheads were Northern Democrats who opposed the Civil War and wanted a peace settlement with the Confederates.

Republicans started calling them Copperheads, likening them to the poisonous snake. Interestingly, they accepted the label but because the copperhead to them …

Unanimous consent is a legislative procedure whereby a legislator requests approval by all legislators to approve rule changes and bills.

Unanimous consent rules have been used in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate since their first meetings in 1789. A …

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 a federal agency.

In a lot of cases, constituents don’t know how to get help …

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 first came into use as a political term just after the Civil War. It’s derived from …

A “lame duck session” is when the House or Senate reconvenes in an even-numbered year following the November general elections to consider various items of business.

It’s called this because some of the lawmakers who return for this …

The act of spreading negative rumors about a political candidate, in order to discredit him or her in the eyes of voters. This can also be called a whispering campaign. According to Merriam Webster, the phrase dates back to …

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 opinion as if it were a genuine, grassroots movement, when in fact it is a coordinated …

“Inside the Beltway” is a term used to describe the political landscape and culture within the Capital Beltway, the Interstate 495 highway that encircles Washington, D.C.

It is often used to refer to the political and media establishments within …

K Street refers to the area in downtown Washington, D.C. where many lobbyists, lawyers and advocacy groups have their offices. It’s become a term to refer to the lobbying industry as a whole.

In fact, the Washington Post has noted …

The term “motor voter” refers to a law in the United States that allows eligible citizens to register to vote when they apply for or renew their driver’s license.

This law, known as the National Voter Registration Act …

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 unexpectedly win or succeed.

While history is replete with examples of dark horse candidates who …

The term “ex officio” comes from the Latin phrase “from the office,” and in politics it refers to someone who is part of a political body just by virtue of holding a different elected office.

The most common example of …

Logrolling refers to a quid pro quo exchange of favors.

In politics, it generally refers to vote-trading by lawmakers to ensure that each legislator’s favored provisions have a higher chance of passing.

Specifically, logrolling means combining several provisions …

A recess appointment is a presidential appointment typically requiring Senate approval that is made during a Senate recess.

To be confirmed, the appointment must be approved by the Senate by the end of the next session of Congress or the …

“Power corrupts” refers to the statement made by the 19th century British historian Lord Acton who declared that “power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” 

The phrase has become a truism and is often repeated in conversations about …

A peanut politician is one who practices politics on a petty scale and who is chiefly motivated by narrow self-interest.

Peanut politicians are also often corrupt, although they usually favor small-scale graft. A peanut politician practices “peanut politics.”

The expression …

Impeachment is the process by which a public official, such as the President of the United States, can be removed from office for committing “treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.”

This process is outlined in the …

In a legislative context, to “lay on the table” refers to the action of temporarily postponing consideration of a motion or bill.

This is typically done when the legislative body, such as a parliament or congress, determines that it is …

“Dog whistle politics” is the practice of sending out coded political messages or subtle signals, which are designed to be understood only by a narrow target audience.

In their literal form, dog whistles are instruments that emit high-pitched …

“Hardball” is a no-nonsense attitude or approach to getting what you want in politics.

It’s a term borrowed from the sport of baseball, where it refers to the actual hard ball used in the game as opposed to the softer …

A “hopper” refers to a physical box or an electronic system where proposed bills or resolutions are submitted in a legislative body.

The concept comes from the tradition in many parliaments and congresses where a literal box, often called the …

The “yeas and nays” is a recorded roll call vote of members of the House or Senate.

The term “yeas” refers to votes in favor of the proposal, while “nays” represents votes against it.

This method of voting provides a …

“One man, one vote” is a slogan used to express an ideal of equal representation for all citizens. One man, one vote is also often expressed as one person, one vote.

In practice, the phrase has been used to argue …

An informal meeting of local party members to discuss candidates and choose delegates to their party’s convention.

The term can also refer to informal groups of Members of the House of Representatives or the Senate used to discuss common issues …

In politics, cloakrooms are spaces adjacent to the chambers of the Senate and the House where politicians from both parties can gather to discuss Congressional business privately. There is a separate cloakroom for each political party. Put simply, a cloakroom …

A pooh bah is a person with great and often unchecked political power.

A pooh-bah may hold political office but is an ineffective leader who doesn’t accomplish much of anything.

Pooh-bah is generally a derogatory term. It is often used …

In American politics, the term “mugwumps” was first used to describe those who left the Republican party in favor of the Democrats in 1884 to vote for Glover Cleveland instead of the GOP nominee James Blaine.

At a …

A “red herring” is an argument or piece of information that distracts from a different and more important issue.

In some cases, political operatives may deliberately plant red herrings to turn the public away from an embarrassing issue.

At other …

A “codel,” or congressional delegation, is a group of members of the United States Congress who travel together on official business.

These trips are often called “codels,” and they can include visits to other countries, meetings with foreign …

Named after Senate Parliamentarian Emeritus Floyd M. Riddick, this Senate document contains the contemporary precedents and practices of the U.S. Senate.

It is updated periodically by the Senate Parliamentarian.…

“Presidential fever” is the overwhelming, fervent desire to be elected president of the United States. Presidential fever can also refer to an extreme love of the office of the presidency.

Presidential fever is related to election fever, but the two …

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, …

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 …

“Pressing the flesh” refers to shaking hands, usually in a warm and effusive manner. It is an integral part of most political campaigns in normal times. 

Mingling, kissing babies, and pressing the flesh are all ways for politicians …

An October surprise is a news event which takes place shortly before a closely-watched election and which may influence the election’s outcome.

Usually, the term in reference to a presidential election, although it can be applied to any election.

The …