Campaigning

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 …

A Shermanesque statement is a clear and direct statement by a potential political candidate indicating that he or she will not run for …

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 …

“Fence mending” means making an effort to repair a political relationship after it has been damaged.

This practice is often engaged in by politicians who …

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 …

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 …

The term “permanent campaign” was first coined by Sidney Blumenthal in his 1980 book, The Permanent Campaign.

The book explained how the breakdown in …

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 …

A “smoke-filled room” is used to describe a situation where politicians or other powerful individuals gather in a private, enclosed space to make …

A caucus is an informal meeting of local party members to discuss candidates and choose delegates to their party’s convention.

It can also refer to …

“Whistle-stopping” is practice of making political speeches or appearances in many different towns during a short period of time.

The practice has lost some of …

In American politics, the term “mugwumps” was first used to describe those who left the Republican party in favor of the Democrats in …

A “rubber chicken circuit” is the nickname given to the endless parade of dinners that political candidates must attend during a campaign for office in …

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

The …

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 individual with strong political opinions who does not hesitate to express them.

Typically, a park bench orator speaks out about their views in public.…

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

A lot of ink has been spilled about whether the incumbent has a better …

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

A handler can fill a variety of roles. At the lowest end of the spectrum, …

“Retail politics” refers to a style of political campaigning where candidates focus on direct, personal engagement with individual voters rather than relying on mass media …

A balanced ticket is a paring of political party candidates designed to appeal to a broad swathe of the electorate. A balanced ticket normally includes …

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

They are …

“Bed-wetting” refers to someone who expresses doubt or excessive worry about a political outcome.

The term “bed-wetting” in politics has roots in psychological analogies.

Much …

“McConnelling” is the practice of setting music to awkward, B-roll footage of a politician.

The term was coined after Sen. Mitch McConnell’s (R-KY) re-election campaign …

A “wave election” is a term used to describe a significant electoral shift in which one political party makes substantial gains in seats …

“The Great Mentioner” describes the phenomenon whereby certain people are “mentioned” to journalists as possible candidates for higher office.

It suggests that being mentioned or …

When it’s time to leave a race for public office, candidates often announce their “suspended campaign” instead of actually dropping out.

Practically speaking, there is …

A party convention in which delegates are able to vote for the candidate of their choice, and are not tied to the results of primaries …

A barnstormer travels around the country or state making political appearances during a political campaign.

The events are typically set up by an advance man…

A “money blurt” is the strategy of using a politician’s controversial statements to attract a large number of campaign donors.

The Washington Post explains how …

“Astrotweeting” is the creation of fake Twitter profiles to show support for a political candidate.

Bill White described the practice in an Texas Monthly interview …

A brokered convention takes place when no one candidate wins a majority delegates during the presidential primary to earn their party’s nomination in …

“Morning in America” is a phrase from a 1984 political ad for President Ronald Reagan’s re-election campaign to evoke a renewed American economic and social …

GOTV is an acronym for “get out the vote” or increasing voter turnout in an election.

It involves various activities and initiatives to …

A Rose Garden campaign is when an incumbent president takes advantage of the power and prestige of his office to help him run for re-election.…

A “Sister Souljah moment” is a public repudiation of an extremist person or statement perceived to have some association with a politician or his party.…

An annual picnic in Fancy Farm, Kentucky that has come to represent the traditional starting point of the fall campaign season in Kentucky.

The gathering …

A “kangaroo ticket” is a ticket for higher office in which the person at the bottom of the ticket is considered more electable or is …

A stump speech is a speech that a politician makes again and again as they travel to different places during a campaign.

The speech might …

A “favorite son” candidate is one who draws their support from the home state or from the broader region. Sometimes the term is also used …

A “flip-flop” is a sudden reversal of opinion or policy by a politician, usually running for office.

The term is often used pejoratively to suggest …