Campaigning

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.

It involves various activities and initiatives to …

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.…

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

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 …

“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 …

“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 “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 “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 …

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 …