Strategy

A leak in politics is the spread of secret, often unfavorable, news about a politician to the media by someone in his or her inner circle.

It’s usually an unauthorized …

“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.

It’s also sometimes …

“Netroots” is grassroots political activism organized through blogs and other online social media.

Netroots activism emerged as a powerful force in U.S. politics during the 2000s, harnessing the potential of …

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 serves as an opportunity for …

The use of a “killer amendment” — sometimes called a “poison poll amendment” or “wrecking amendment” — is a legislative strategy of using an amendment to severely change a bill’s …

A “Farley file” is a log kept by politicians on the people they have met previously.

It’s named for James A. Farley, who was Franklin Roosevelt’s campaign manager and …

The act of spreading negative rumors about a political candidate, in order to discredit him or her in the eyes of voters. This can also be called a whispering campaign.…

Astroturfing is an artificially-manufactured political movement designed to give the appearance of grassroots activism.

It involves presenting a biased or skewed view of public opinion as if it were …

Pork barrel projects describes the appropriation of government spending for localized projects, usually secured primarily to bring money to a representative’s district.

The term first came into use as a …

“Dog whistle politics” is the practice of sending out coded political messages or subtle signals, which are designed to be understood only by a narrow target audience.

In …

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 …

“Hardball” is a no-nonsense attitude or approach to getting what you want in politics.

It’s a term borrowed from the sport of baseball, where it refers to the actual hard …

Logrolling refers to a quid pro quo exchange of favors.

In politics, it generally refers to vote-trading by lawmakers to ensure that each legislator’s favored provisions have a …

A “big lie” is an extreme distortion of the truth, used for the purpose of spreading propaganda. It is often somewhat outrageous.

In theory, people will more easily believe a …

In politics, a fishing expedition is a pejorative phrase to describe an investigation that lacks a clear scope and defined purpose.

Fishing expeditions are usually carried out by members of …

An October surprise is a news event which takes place shortly before a closely-watched election and which may influence the election’s outcome.

Usually, the term in reference to a presidential …

A bully pulpit is a public office or position of authority that provides the holder with an opportunity to speak out and be listened to on any matter.  

In …

An armchair strategist is a person who creates plans and military strategy without being directly involved in the area. The term is often used in a derogatory manner.

“Armchair general” …

“Salami tactics” refers to a divide and conquer approach, which aims to split up the opposition.

The expression evokes the idea of slicing up one’s opposition in the same way …

The “can’t win technique” is a campaign strategy used during the primary season.

Typically, it means telling delegates and voters that your rival can’t possibly win the general election.

The …

In politics, a “big tent” refers to an inclusive party which encourages a wide swathe of people to become members.

The opposite of “big tent” would be a party which …

Gaslighting is a form of psychological manipulation that seeks to sow seeds of doubt in a targeted individual or group.

It makes them question their own memory, perception …

“Entryism” is a political tactic of joining an organization with which you do not agree with the intention of changing it from the inside.

The infiltrators may either be open …

A “stalking horse” is a candidate put forward in an election to conceal an anonymous person’s potential candidacy.

If the idea of the campaign proves viable, the anonymous person can …

“Running between the raindrops” is to dodge or deflect repeated political attacks.

These politicians are seen as skillful or even lucky, as they seem to evade the fallout that others …

“Rumsfeld’s Rules” are a series of aphorisms, sayings, and observations about life in leadership, business, and politics by Donald Rumsfeld, who was a Congressman, Chief of Staff and Secretary …

The term “alternative facts” was a phrase coined by White House adviser Kellyanne Conway to defend a false statement by press secretary Sean Spicer about the attendance of President Donald …

The “Washington Monument strategy” is named after a tactic used by the National Park Service to threaten closure of the popular Washington Monument when lawmakers proposed serious cuts in spending …

Strategery is a fictional word coined by comedy writer Jim Downey in a now famous Saturday Night Live sketch written to lampoon former president George W. Bush during the election …

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.

The phrase originally referred 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.

It’s a strategy designed to …

Plausible deniability is the ability to deny any involvement in illegal or unethical activities, because there is no clear evidence to prove involvement.

The lack of evidence makes …

Aardvarking is recruiting candidates for public office with the main objective of having their names begin with the letter A.

The practice of aardvarking is rooted in the idea that …