Pen and Pad Briefing
A “pen and pad briefing” is a briefing held by lawmakers or White House officials at which video and photography is not allowed.
It’s similar …
Media
Press Gaggle
A “press gaggle” is an informal briefing by the White House press secretary that, unlike a backgrounder, is on the record.
However, video recording …
Nattering Nabobs of Negativism
A phrase used by Vice President Spiro Agnew to refer to the members of the media with whom he had a very acrimonious …
Gotcha Question
A “gotcha question” is one posed by a reporter in an effort to trick a politician into looking stupid or saying something damaging.
These questions …
Godwin’s Law
Godwin’s Law is a term first promulgated in 1990 by author and lawyer Mike Godwin.
Originally intended as a lesson in information “memetics,” or how …
Washington Read
The “Washington Read” is the phenomenon by which, through a form of intellectual osmosis, a book is absorbed “inside the Beltway.”
From the …
Fourth Estate
The “Fourth Estate” refers to the news media, especially with regards to their role in the political process.
The phrase has its origins in the …
Photo-Op
A photo-op is short for a “photo opportunity,” an event specifically staged for television news cameras or photographers to increase a politician’s exposure.
A photo-op …
Full Ginsburg
The “full Ginsburg” refers to an appearance by one person on all five major Sunday-morning interview shows on the same day:
- This Week on ABC
Politics Ain’t Beanbag
“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 “…
Opinion Leader
An “opinion leader” is one whose opinions about something have a significant impact on the opinions of others.
Today, an “influencer” is sometimes used as …
Five O’Clock Follies
“Five o’clock follies” is a familiar and derogatory nickname for the daily press briefings that the U.S. military held for American reporters during the Vietnam …
Backgrounder
A “backgrounder” is an off-the-record briefing for members of the news media.
Reporters are free to report on what they learn at a background briefing …
Off the Record
“Off the record” is a term used in journalism meaning that the information given to the reporter cannot be attributed to the person saying it.…
The Great Mentioner
“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 …
Lid
A “lid” is what White House press secretaries use to indicate that there will be no news coming out of the White House …