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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 …

An absentee ballot is a vote cast by someone who is unable to visit the official polling place on Election Day.

This type …

The “Acela corridor” refers to the Northeast megalopolis that stretches roughly from Washington, D.C., through New York City, to Boston.

Named after Amtrak’s high-speed Acela …

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 …

“Advice and Consent” is a critical phrase in the United States Constitution that outlines a key aspect of the checks and balances among the three …

Agitprop is political propaganda, especially in the form of art or literature, which is used to advance a political stance.

A portmanteau of …

The “aisle” refers to the space which divides the majority side from the minority on the House and Senate floor.

When debating, members frequently refer …

To “Akinize” is to try to diminish a political foe by likening his or her words to remarks on “legitimate rape” made by …

“All things to all men” is a phrase applied to politicians who seem to be making contradictory promises and statements so that they can appeal …

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 …

“Amen corner” is a term used in politics to refer to a group of people or legislators who always support or agree with a particular …

Ronald Reagan’s critics often referred to the president as an “amiable dunce.”

The phrase was meant to suggest that Reagan was friendly and likeable, but …

“Appeasement” is a diplomatic policy in which nations attempt to make peace by making concessions to an aggressive nation. Appeasement is often linked with the …

“Are you any better off” is a phrase commonly used in politics to question whether the policies and actions of a particular candidate or political …

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 …

“Arsenal of democracy” is a term that was first coined by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in a radio address to the nation on …

The “art of the possible” is idea that politics is a matter of pragmatism, instead of idealism.

According to this worldview, politics is a matter …

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 …

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

Bill White described the practice in an Texas Monthly interview …

An “attack dog” in politics is a person, usually a politician or a political operative, who is designated to aggressively challenge and criticize the opposition.…

An “autopsy report” is a comprehensive examination and analysis performed by a political party, organization, or think tank following an electoral defeat.

The primary objective …