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 “full Ginsburg” refers to an appearance by one person on all five major Sunday-morning interview shows on the same day:
The mark-up is the committee meeting held to review the text of a bill before reporting it to the floor.
Committee members do not make changes to the text but can vote on proposed amendments. In conclusion, members vote on …
“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 “situation room” is a physical room in which key decision makers gather to share information and make plans about the major issues affecting their future.
National governments can have a situation room; so can municipal governments or even cable …
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 “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 popularized …
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 …
“Talking points” are a clear and concise list of ideas making up a politician’s main arguments in a stump speech. They’re typically used as a guide and not read word-for-word.
William Safire noted that he first heard the phrase …
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 …
Funds that are allocated to a specific program, project or for a designated purpose. Revenues are earmarked by law. Expenditures are earmarked by appropriations bills or reports.
According to the Office of Management & Budget definition, earmarks include:
“Politics ain’t beanbag” Is an old-fashioned way of saying that politics can be rough.
People express roughly the same idea when they call politics “hardball” or “sharp-elbowed.”
The term originally comes from a 19th century novel…
A “gaffe” is an unintentional comment that causes a politician embarrassment.
The term is often used to describe a slip of the tongue or a misstatement that is embarrassing or damaging to the person who made it.
In politics, gaffes
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 …
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 …
The “well” refers to the area at the front of the chamber where the Speaker of the House of Representatives and other leaders of the House sit.
This area is also known as the “Presiding Officer’s desk” and …
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 …
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 …
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 …
“Gobbledygook” is a term coined by Rep. Maury Maverick (D-TX) for obscure and euphemistic bureaucratic language.
He first used the word in a 1944 memo, while he was chairman of the U.S. Smaller War Plants Committee, as …
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 …
Cats and dogs are are leftover “stray” bills on minor subjects saved for days when the House or Senate have light floor schedules.…
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 …
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 “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 …
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 conveniently located near the Senate floor.
The hideaway location of an individual Senator is a closely held secret, most with no names on the doors. …
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 …
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, …
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 …
Under Article II of the United States Constitution, presidential nominations for executive and judicial posts take effect only when confirmed by the U.S. Senate. In addition, international treaties become effective only when the U.S. Senate approves them by a two-thirds …
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 …
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.
They are typically conducted by media companies to get an early indication of who actually
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 …
“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.…
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 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.…
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 …
The official record of the proceedings and debates of the United States Congress. It is published daily when Congress is in session. At the back of each daily issue is the “Daily Digest,” which summarizes the day’s floor and committee …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
The term “gerrymander” refers to the practice of manipulating the boundaries of electoral districts in order to benefit a particular political party or group.
This is typically done by drawing the boundaries of the districts in a way
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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…
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 …
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 …
Leader time is the ten minute time allotted to majority and minority leaders at the start of the daily session.
Leaders use the time to discuss any important issues or the day’s legislative agenda. All or part of the leader …
“Hardball” is a no-nonsense attitude or approach to getting what you want in politics.
From the introduction to Hardball by Chris Matthews: “Let me define terms: hardball is clean, aggressive Machiavellian politics. It is the discipline of gaining and holding …
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 …
The yeas and nays is a recorded roll call vote of members of the House or Senate.
The U.S. Constitution directs that “the yeas and nays of the members of either house, on any question, shall, at the desire of …
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 …
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 …
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 …
“One minute speeches” refers to a procedure that allows members of a legislative body, such as a parliament or congress, to speak briefly on a particular matter.
This is typically done when the body is considering a motion
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 …
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, …
Wasteful government expeditures that lawmakers secure for their local districts in an attempt to gain favor with voters.
The term first came into use as a political term just after the Civil War. It’s derived from the practice of plantations …
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 …
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 …
“Packing the galleries” is an outdated practice in which campaign managers would fill up the seats at a political convention with their own supporters. In theory, those supporters would then cheer so loudly for their favored candidate that he would …
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 …
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 …
“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 …
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 …
“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 …
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 …
A “witch hunt” is a politically-motivated, often vindictive investigation that feeds on public fears.
The origins of the term “witch hunt” can be traced back to the late 16th and early 17th centuries, when a series of trials and executions …
“Whistle-stopping” is practice of making political speeches or appearances in many different towns during a short period of time.
The term originates from the time when politicians mainly traveled by train and gave speeches from the back of the train …
Legislators introduce bills by placing them in the bill hopper attached to the side of the clerk’s desk.
The term derives from a funnel-shaped storage bin filled from the top and emptied from the bottom, which is often used to …
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 …
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.
Merriam …
The New Deal was a series of programs created during the administration of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. It was designed to bring immediate economic relief during the Great Depression, as well as to bring about reforms in a number of …
The desk is another name for the rostrum where the presiding officer and various clerks of the chamber sit.
According to recent practices, most bills, resolutions, and committee reports are delivered to the clerks at the presiding officer’s desk for …
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.…
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 …
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 …
“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 …
“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 yellow dog Democrat was a Southern voter who was unwavering in their loyalty to the Democratic party.
Those faithful Democrats swore that they would “vote for a yellow dog” before they’d vote for a Republican.
According to William Safire, …
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.
In theory, the expression could refer to any position of authority. …
A pro forma session is a brief meeting of a legislative body, typically lasting only a few minutes, during which no formal business is conducted.
These sessions are often used to fulfill a procedural requirement or to demonstrate
“Feeding at the public trough” is using government funds to enrich oneself.
Feeding at the public trough refers to activities which are, strictly speaking, legal, but which are generally considered to be morally reprehensible. Someone who feeds at the public …
“Happy Days Are Here Again” is the title of Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s official campaign song in 1932.
The song remained the unofficial anthem of the Democratic Party for many years.
In 1932, America was mired in the Great Depression. “Happy …
A demagogue is a politician whose rhetoric appeals to raw emotions such as fear and hatred in order to gain power, rather than using rational arguments.
They often use rhetoric and propaganda to stir up public passion and …
McCarthyism is a term used to describe the political practice of making accusations of disloyalty, subversion, or treason without adequate evidence.
The term is named after Sen. Joseph McCarthy, who became known for his aggressive tactics in investigating alleged communists