A “cromnibus” bill is legislation which combines a long-term omnibus spending bill with a shorter-term continuing resolution.

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It’s that time of year

The “Gang of Eight” refers to a group of eight elected officials who are responsible for reviewing and receiving sensitive intelligence information.

Who …

A “back channel” is an unofficial means of communication between two nations or two political entities.

“Backchanneling” is also used as a verb, to refer …

A “slogan” is a short and catchy phrase used to promote a candidate for political office or an idea.

Slogans are crafted to be catchy, …

A “scalawag” is a pejorative term for a white southerner who supported Reconstruction efforts in the south in the late 1800s.

They are often associated …

To “send them a message” is a call to action from a politician telling supporters to use their political capital to voice their opinion.

This …

A “red state” is one whose voters elect primarily Republican candidates.

It is the opposite of a blue state, which elects primarily Democratic candidates.…

The term “wise men” refers to a group of respected, experienced individuals who are consulted for their expertise and judgment on important matters of policy …

In political parlance, the term “wing nut” is often used as a pejorative to describe someone who holds extreme, radical, or fringe views.

The term …

Ranked-choice voting is an electoral system where voters rank candidates in order of preference, instead of voting for just one candidate.

If no candidate receives …

The terms “battleground state” and “swing state” refer to states that have closely divided support for Democratic and Republican presidential candidates.

They are …

“Entryism” is a political tactic of joining an organization with which you do not agree with the intention of changing it from the inside.

The …

A political football is an otherwise non-partisan issue which politicians try to capitalize on and turn to their advantage.

Something is said to be a …

In politics, “vetting” refers to the process of thoroughly investigating and evaluating a candidate’s background, qualifications, and character before they are selected for a political …

Freedom riders were northerners who took interstate buses down to the south in order to protest Jim Crow and segregation policies.

Most of the freedom …

“Obstructionism” is the act of deliberately stalling, delaying, or preventing legislation from being passed.

It is a tactic used to delay, alter, or prevent specific …

The “Daisy ad” is a political advertisement that aired only once during the 1964 U.S. presidential campaign but has since become emblematic of …

The term “snowflake” has become a notable expression in contemporary political discourse, particularly within the United States.

As a political term, it is …

A “true believer” refers to an individual who passionately supports a particular ideology, political party, or politician with unwavering conviction.

Such individuals often hold their …

The term “going rogue” is used to describe a situation where a politician breaks with established norms and party lines.

This can involve expressing …

Gaslighting is a form of psychological manipulation that seeks to sow seeds of doubt in a targeted individual or group.

It makes them …

“Woke” is a term that has evolved and expanded in usage, particularly within political and cultural discourse.

The term is connected to the broader concept …

The term “double-max” refers to a practice in campaign finance where an individual contributes the maximum allowed amount to a candidate’s primary and general election …

To “pussyfoot” is to proceed with caution, to move warily but steadily or to sidestep an issue as to not take a side.

It is …

The “nuclear option” is a metaphorical term that refers to a parliamentary procedure in the U.S. Senate allowing for a significant change to the rules …

Class warfare refers to the tension and struggle between different socioeconomic classes, often framed as the conflict between the wealthy and the working classes.…

The term “young guns” is often used to refer to a group of up-and-coming, ambitious individuals who are seen as the future leaders or influencers …

“Movers and shakers” are those who have power and influence in business, politics, or other segments of the public sphere.

Party leadership, committee leaders, or …

Shuttle diplomacy is a method of negotiation where an intermediary, often a high-profile figure, travels back and forth between parties who are either unwilling to …

Electability refers to a political candidate’s perceived ability to win an election, as assessed by voters, party insiders, political pundits, and the media.

It encapsulates …

An “old bull” is a powerful and influential Member of Congress.

Old bulls are typically senior members who have worked their way into positions of …

The term “mollycoddle” means to treat certain constituents or voters in an almost absurdly overprotective way.

Typically used in the context of the “welfare state” …

The term “silent majority” refers to a large block of voters that feel marginalized, silenced or underserved by the political system.

It’s commonly assumed that, …

A tag-team hold is when two or more senators agree to circumvent a 2011 resolution limiting secret senate holds to two days.

One senator will …

The term “party line” refers to the officially agreed-upon policy positions of a political party.

It can also refer to the way in which members …

“Nut-cutting time” is when drastic actions are required, because all other methods have failed. The phrase is used in sports as well as in politics.…

The “deduct box” was the locked box where legendary Louisiana Gov. Huey Long kept “deducts” from state employee salaries to fund his political operation.

Estimates …

“Quockerwodger” is a rather obscure and rarely used term in modern political discourse.

It refers to politicians who are not truly representing their constituents or …

“Potomac fever” is the condition where a politician is gripped by a desire to stay in government, whether to make a change or for power’s …

A “stalking horse” is a candidate put forward in an election to conceal an anonymous person’s potential candidacy.

If the idea of the campaign proves …