Campaigning

“Triangulation” is when a political candidate presents his or her views as being above and between the left and right sides of the …

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 …

“Chum” is campaign gear such as bumper stickers, lawn signs, and campaign buttons.

The concept of chum draws its metaphorical origins from the practice of …

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 …

“Spin Alley” is the place designated after a political debate where reporters interview analysts and campaign operatives who attempt to “spin” the news coverage of …

A “push card” is a small, easy access, wallet-sized campaign sign typically given to a potential voter during door-to-door canvassing or at an event.

They’re …

In politics, “mudslinging” is a tactic used by candidates or other politicians in order to damage the reputation of a rival politician by using epithets, …

A “front-porch campaign” is one in which the candidate stays close to home throughout the election race.

Instead of crisscrossing the country to woo voters, …

An invisible primary begins when a candidate formally announces their plans to run for office.

It’s an opportunity to find out how much support they …

A “cattle call” is a public event at which a big group of candidates for public office all speak.

The term comes from the acting …

“Flake rate” is a calculation of people who sign up to volunteer for political canvassing or events but do not participate.

This term is largely …

The “advance man” is someone who makes arrangements and handles publicity for the candidate during a campaign.

The advance man travels to a location ahead …

A “carpetbagger” is a politician who runs for office or tries to appeal to a constituency in a geographic area where he or …

“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 “…

“Cutting turf” is plotting canvassing routes for campaign workers to knock on doors.

The term refers to the process of breaking up a …

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

A “snollygoster” is a political operative or candidate who uses cunning or ethically questionable behavior to achieve power.

It’s similar to what we call a …

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 …

Fusion voting allows a candidate’s name to appear on multiple parties’ ballot lines, and to combine his or her votes from those lines.

Origin of

A “body man” is an assistant or valet who follows a political figure around the clock, providing logistical assistance for daily tasks ranging from paperwork …

“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 …

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 …

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 …

“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 …

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 …

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.…

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, …

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 …

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.…

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 …

“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 …

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

They are …

“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 …