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“Happy Days Are Here Again” is the title of Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s official campaign song in 1932.

“Ratfucking” is the art of carrying out dirty tricks and crafty maneuvers, usually in the name of winning an election.

In politics, a “rainmaker” is an individual who can raise campaign funds for others.

A bill is a proposed law introduced in either the U.S. House of Representatives or the U.S. Senate.

The Previous Question — sometimes referred to as a “PQ” — is a tool of the minority that affords the opportunity to offer an amendment to the Rule being considered…

The “military industrial complex” is a term referring to all the components of a nation’s military establishment, including the private businesses involved in producing weapons and other military equipment.

“Swiftboating” refers to the use of dishonest or misleading tactics to attack or smear the reputation or character of a political opponent.

A political animal is one who is fascinated by politics and who thrives on being closely involved in politics.

The person who has his “finger on the button” has the power to launch a nuclear weapon.

“The desk” is another name for the rostrum where the presiding officer and various clerks of the chamber sit.

The “art of the possible” is idea that politics is a matter of pragmatism, instead of idealism.

Pax Americana refers to a period of relative peace and stability that extended throughout the area of American influence, beginning with the end of World War II.

A bully pulpit is a public office or position of authority that provides the holder with an opportunity to speak out and be listened to on any matter.

The “loneliest job in the world” is a reference to the presidency of the United States, supposedly a supremely lonely and isolating job because of the enormous responsibility that it…

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

An “opinion leader” is one whose opinions about something have a significant impact on the opinions of others.

A wedge issue is a highly divisive political or social issue.

The Bailey memorandum was circulated among members of the Democratic party in 1956, arguing that Catholic voters were a key demographic that could be harnessed to win elections.

“Peace at any price” is a phrase closely associated with the politics of appeasement, and especially with British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain and his diplomatic approach to Hitler’s Germany.

“Fugazi” is military slang that has seeped into some political conversations, particularly in informal settings.

“Forty acres and a mule” is a popular name for an order which promised freed slave that every family would be given a plot of land, measuring up to 40…

A “filibuster” is a tactic used in the United States Senate to block or delay action on a piece of legislation.

In politics, a handler manages a candidate during an election.

A floor fight is an argument that threatens to derail either a convention or a congressional proceeding.

In politics, a “clean sweep” occurs in an election when a candidate or party achieves an overwhelming or complete victory, winning in all or almost all districts or precincts.

“Not for attribution” refers to a specific, discreet kind of arrangement where a journalist and a politician, or any other individual providing information to that journalist, agree to keep the…

“Cloture” is legislative term referring to a motion or process by which debate is brought to a quick end.

“That dog won’t hunt” is a dismissive phrase, used to mean that a particular idea or approach is going to fail.

A “nose count” is a tally of people to see how many are present.

An incumbent is an official who already holds a political office.