A “blue state” is one whose voters elect primarily Democratic candidates.

It is the opposite of a red state, which elects primarily Republican candidates.…

A whistleblower refers to an individual who exposes illicit activities, misconduct, or unethical practices occurring within a political entity, government institution, or related organizations.

Whistleblowers …

A “city on a hill” is used to refer to America’s supposed standing in the world, as a “beacon of hope” which other nations can …

“Dirty tricks” are actions taken by a political campaign or candidate to damage their opponents that may involve unethical, distasteful, or illegal behaviors.

Political candidates …

Broadly speaking, “big government” is a political term that refers to how much influence the federal government has on the day-to-day lives of American citizens.…

A “contested convention,” sometimes also referred to as a “brokered convention,” occurs when no single candidate for president secures the majority of delegates …

A smear campaign is repeated uses of smears in an attempt to try to damage someone’s reputation, typically to make them lose an election.

The …

Ronald Reagan’s critics often referred to the president as an “amiable dunce.”

The phrase was meant to suggest that Reagan was friendly and likeable, but …

“Separate but equal” was the infamous justification for the decision in Plessy v Ferguson, the case that formally legalized segregation.

The justification …

“Appeasement” is a diplomatic policy in which nations attempt to make peace by making concessions to an aggressive nation. Appeasement is often linked with the …

In politics, the term “smoking gun” refers to a piece of evidence that definitively proves a crime or wrongdoing by a public official.

Origin of

“Under suspension of the rules” refers to a process in the House of Representatives where a bill or resolution is considered without following all the …

“Death panels” was a political term which falsely referred to the supposed dangers posed by the Affordable Care Act.

Some opponents of the law, better …

“Better red than dead” is a phrase that reflects the belief that, despite the widespread perceived dangers of communism and the Soviet Union, it was …

The term “sharp-elbowed” refers in politics to being aggressive and assertive when it comes to pursuing a political agenda or pushing one’s point of view.…

A “concession speech” is the speech a candidate delivers after the vote results are clear, when they publicly acknowledge that they’ve been defeated in an …

A “chilling effect” is a situation in which rights are restricted, often because of indirect political pressure or overbroad legislation.

Chilling effect is usually used …

The “cemetery vote” refers to a form of voter fraud, in which votes are cast in the names of registered voters who have, in fact, …

A “purple state” features roughly even numbers of Democratic and Republican supporters in a presidential election.

It’s also a term used for a swing state …

The Saturday Night Massacre refers to October 20, 1973, the Saturday night when then-President Richard Nixon gave the order to fire special prosecutor …

“Off the record” is a term used in journalism meaning that the information given to the reporter cannot be attributed to the person saying it.…

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 …

“Read my lips” ia a phrase used by George H.W. Bush in his speech for the 1988 Republican nomination for president.

The full quote is …

“Fake electors” refers to a controversial incident that emerged during the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election, a hotly contested …

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 …

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

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

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

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

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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

They are …

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 …

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 …

“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 …

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 …

“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 …