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 …
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. …
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 …
“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 …
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 …
A “quagmire” refers to a dangerous and usually complex situation which is difficult to exit.
In literal terms, a quagmire is a soft, marshy area …
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 …
“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 …
A “hatchet man” is an operative in charge of doing political dirty work — or dirty tricks — both during a campaign and sometimes as …
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 …
“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 …
“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 …
“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 …
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 …
“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 …
“Dyed in the wool” is a phrase referring to people who hold very strong opinions and are unwilling to change them.
Synonyms include “uncompromising” and …
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 …
“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.…
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 …
A “boodle” refers to a large sum of bribe money or graft money.
Boodle can also be used to mean a large collection of something. …
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 …
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 …
In politics, “slow-walk” is a term used to describe an effort to prevent legislation or a political process from moving forward by intentionally slowing it …
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 …
The Fair Deal was a package of economic and social reforms put forward by President Harry Truman, with the stated purpose of giving all Americans …
In politics, a “big tent” refers to an inclusive party which encourages a wide swathe of people to become members.
The opposite of “big tent” …
The “political graveyard” refers to the careers of politicians who have experienced a significant decline of their political influence and electoral viability.
This can be …
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 …
The “can’t win technique” is a campaign strategy used during the primary season.
Typically, it means telling delegates and voters that your rival can’t possibly …
“Peace through strength” is the accumulation of military power and security assets by a country to encourage an amenable diplomatic atmosphere with other countries.
A “three martini lunch” is a long, leisurely lunch, usually associated with either business or backroom political dealings.
The three martini lunch had its heyday …
A “one-house bill” is a bill introduced by a lawmaker for the purpose of grandstanding or to demonstrate their effort to fulfill political promises without …
Karl Marx famously declared that religion is the opiate of the people.
There are a few conflicting translations of the quote, so that sometimes religion …
A “Mission Accomplished moment” has come to mean any grandiose declaration of success by a politician or political leader which later proves false.
It’s an …
A balanced ticket is a paring of political party candidates designed to appeal to a broad swathe of the electorate. A balanced ticket normally includes …
“Chicken in every pot” was Republican campaign slogan of the late 1920s.
The slogan is often incorrectly attributed to Herbert Hoover; it became a means …
A “captive candidate” is one who is allegedly “owned” by special interests or political groups. Calling someone a “captive candidate” is similar to saying that …
“Every Man a King” is the title of a speech delivered in 1934 by Senator Huey Long of Louisiana.
The speech, which Long delivered on …
The “great debates” were a series of public debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A, Douglas.
In 1858, Douglas, an Illinois Democrat, was running for …
“Give ’em hell Harry” is a reference to President Harry Truman’s 1948 re-election campaign. It’s also the name of a very successful play and movie.…