Tag: strategy

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

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

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

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

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

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…

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

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…

“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 of…

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…

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.

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

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 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.

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

“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.

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…

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

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.

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.

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

The term “gerrymander” refers to the practice of manipulating the boundaries of electoral districts in order to benefit a particular political party or group.

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

“Hardball” refers to a straightforward, often aggressive strategy employed in politics to achieve one’s goals.

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.

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

Logrolling refers to a quid pro quo exchange of favors.

“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.

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

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

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.

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

An armchair strategist is a person who creates plans and military strategy without being directly involved in the area.

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