The phrase “put politics aside” is an appeal to transcend partisan or ideological divides in order to address an issue of mutual concern.

Often invoked …

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 …

The phrase “vote your conscience” in politics carries a multifaceted meaning.

This expression is not merely a call to action — it embodies a fundamental …

The phrase “my good friend” is often employed as a term of collegiality between politicians, regardless of their actual personal relationship or political alignment.

The …

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 …

Unanimous consent is a legislative procedure whereby a legislator requests approval by all legislators to approve rule changes and bills.

The rules have been used …

A “vetter” is an individual or team responsible for conducting thorough background checks and investigations into the qualifications and suitability of a candidate or appointee.…

In the context of politics, the phrase “shot/chaser” is typically used to describe a juxtaposition of two related yet contrasting pieces of information, often presented …

The term “left-wing loony” or “loony left” is a pejorative description primarily used in American politics to describe someone perceived as holding fringe leftist views.…

A “listening tour” is a strategic series of meetings, events, or visits conducted by a politician or candidate to gather input, concerns, and perspectives from …

A “charm offensive” refers to a coordinated campaign of personal engagement, public relations efforts, and sometimes even flattery, aimed at winning the favor or support …

The phrase “wag the dog” refers to a strategy where a political leader engages in diversionary tactics—often involving military action or another high-stakes maneuver—to distract …

The term “cone of silence” refers to a situation or environment where sensitive information is strictly safeguarded from unauthorized individuals, including the media and sometimes …

The “king of the hill” is a special rule in the House of Representatives for sequencing different amendments.

Under this rule, all of the proposed …

“Poke the bear” refers to the act of deliberately challenging or provoking a powerful individual, group, or nation, often with the risk of eliciting an …

“It’s just politics” is often invoked to downplay or rationalize actions, decisions, or maneuvers that may be contentious, controversial, or ethically murky.

It serves as …

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 …

The term “ranking member” refers to the most senior member of the minority party on a congressional committee in both the U.S. House of Representatives …

The term “motor voter” refers to a law in the United States that allows eligible citizens to register to vote when they apply …

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 …

The “Gish Gallop” is a rhetorical technique named after Duane Gish, a prominent figure in the creationist movement who used this method to overwhelm his …

“Political jujitsu” refers to the strategic practice of using an opponent’s actions, statements, or strategies against them to gain an advantage, much like the martial …

The phrase “take our country back” is often employed as a rallying cry aimed at mobilizing voters around the idea of restoring a …

The term “weaponize” refers to the strategic manipulation or transformation of information, institutions, or social issues into tools for gaining political advantage.

This …

In politics, the term “slash-and-burn” refers to a strategy of aggressively undermining existing policies or reputations to achieve a particular goal — often without much …

“Probe with bayonets” refers to a cautious yet assertive approach to assessing the weaknesses or reactions of an opponent, often before making a significant move …

“Low information voters” refers to individuals who participate in electoral processes without a comprehensive understanding of the issues or candidates.

Such voters may make decisions …

“It’s a long way to Tipperary” is often employed metaphorically to underscore the complexity and length of a political process, suggesting that achieving a particular …

A demagogue is a politician whose rhetoric appeals to raw emotions such as fear and hatred in order to gain power, rather than …

The phrase “tell it like it is” is commonly used to describe politicians or pundits that are perceived as being forthright, candid, and unfiltered in …

The term “Orwellian” is often invoked to describe actions that evoke the themes of surveillance, authoritarianism, and manipulation of truth found in George Orwell’s dystopian …

The phrase “Nixon in China” refers to the paradoxical phenomenon where a leader takes an action that is unexpected or contrary to their established ideological …

The term “inartful” is often used to describe statements or actions that are clumsily executed or poorly communicated, potentially leading to misunderstandings or negative public …

“Government relations” refers to the specialized practice of influencing public policy and decision-making processes within legislative bodies, executive agencies, and other governmental institutions.

Often executed …

In the context of politics, “low propensity voters” refers to individuals who are eligible to vote but have a history of infrequent participation in elections, …

The term “war room” in politics has a somewhat different connotation compared to its original military usage, where it referred to a room …

Pork barrel projects describes the appropriation of government spending for localized projects, usually secured primarily to bring money to a representative’s district.

Origin of “Pork

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 …