Tag: campaigning

A glad-hander is a highly extroverted person who makes a point of acting friendly in an over-the-top way.

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

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.

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.

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…

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

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

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 order to meet donors and…

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

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.

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

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

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 candidates likely to be approved…

“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 or large campaign events.

Using Google’s Ngram Viewer, there was an uptick in the term’s use in 1980 before a significant jump in the very tight 2000 presidential election.

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

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

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

There’s one more reason to “suspend” a campaign: In theory, a suspended campaign could spring back to life if the political landscape changes dramatically.

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

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

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

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 or caucuses.

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

“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 landscape.

A brokered convention takes place when no one candidate wins a majority delegates during the presidential primary to earn their party’s nomination in the first vote at the nominating conference.

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.

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

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

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.

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 more well-known than the person…

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

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

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

“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 the event.

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 for someone with little to…

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.

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, rumors or mean-spirited innuendos or…