“Packing the galleries” is an outdated practice in which campaign managers would fill up the seats at a political convention with their own supporters.
In theory, those supporters would then cheer so loudly for their favored candidate that he would …
An individual with strong political opinions who does not hesitate to express them.
Typically, a park bench orator speaks out about their views in public. It means much the same thing as a soap box orator, who might be …
The term “party faithful” refers to individuals who demonstrate unwavering loyalty and commitment to a specific political party.
These individuals are dedicated supporters and advocates of their party’s ideology, platform, and candidates, often actively participating in party activities, campaigns, and …
The term “party line” refers to the officially agreed-upon policy positions of a political party.
It can also refer to the way in which members of a political party are expected to support and promote these positions and policies, even …
A patriot is a person who loves, supports, and defends one’s country.
The term “patriot” is derived from the Latin word “patriota,” which means “fellow countryman” or “compatriot.”
While the term is frequently used to describe individuals who fervently support …
Political patronage is the system of rewarding political allies with government jobs, especially prestigious positions which pay well and demand little in the way of work. Political patronage is sometimes also referred to as “spoils.”
The political patronage system is …
Pax Americana refers to a period of relative peace and stability that extended throughout the area of American influence, beginning with the end of World War II.
Pax Americana is also a play off of the ancient idea of Pax …
“Peace at any price” is a phrase closely associated with the politics of appeasement, and especially with British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain and his diplomatic approach to Hitler’s Germany. It was once used as a positive term, but became …
The accumulation of military power and security assets by a country to encourage an amenable diplomatic atmosphere with other countries.
The phrase peace through strength is attributed to the policies of Roman Emperor Hadrian, who ruled from 117 to 138. …
A peanut politician is one who practices politics on a petty scale and who is chiefly motivated by narrow self-interest.
Peanut politicians are also often corrupt, although they usually favor small-scale graft. A peanut politician practices “peanut politics.”
The expression …
A pecking order is a social hierarchy which spells out the specifics of how the power structure operates.
The term was coined by the Norwegian zoologist Thorleif Schjelderup-Ebbe in the beginning of the 20th century. Schjelderup-Ebbe spend his childhood vacations …
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 to a backgrounder.
This format emphasizes verbal communication and provides an opportunity for journalists …
The term “permanent campaign” was first coined by Sidney Blumenthal in his 1980 book, The Permanent Campaign.
The book explained how the breakdown in political parties forced politicians to govern in different ways. Instead of relying on patronage and …
Petitioning is a phase in a campaign where organizers collect signatures to put a candidate’s name on the ballot.
How many signatures are needed depends on the jurisdiction and the office sought; some states allow candidates to pay a fee …
The “Phoney War” refers to a period of relative inactivity and low-intensity military operations at the beginning of World War II.
It was a time when Britain and France declared war on Nazi Germany in September 1939, but no significant …
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 politicians or public figures to engage in activities or settings …
“Ping pong” refers to reconciling the differences between a House-passed bill and a Senate-passed bill by amendments between the chambers, rather than forming a conference committee.
The formal term is “messages between the Houses” and is much simpler than a …
Pinko is a pejorative word for someone with left-wing views. Over time, the term has evolved and is now often used in a slightly comical way.
Merriam Webster says that pinko was first used in 1925 to mean “a person …
Rough and tumble, attack-dog style political campaigns are sometimes referred to as pitbull politics.
In the same way, a pitbull politician is one who is relentlessly aggressive and doggedly partisan.
The term dates back at least to the late 20th …
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 the denial credible, or plausible.
The use of the tactic …
To “play in Peoria” is a phrase meaning how well something will appeal to the heartland or mainstream America. In politics, it is a gauge of how the average American will react to a policy or proposal.
Peoria is an …
The “plumbers” were a covert White House Special Investigations Unit established during the presidency of Richard Nixon.
The group’s task was to stop the leaking of classified information to the media, hence the nickname “plumbers” as they were …
A pocket veto is a legislative tactic that allows the president to indirectly veto a bill.
The U.S. Constitution requires the President to sign a bill within the 10 days if Congress is in session. If Congress is in session …
To “poison the well” is to pre-emptively present adverse information to an audience, with the intention of discrediting or ridiculing what another politician intends to say.
The origin of the term lies in well poisoning, an old wartime practice of …
The term “pol” is short for “politician” and is often used to refer to a person who is actively involved in politics, either as an elected official or as a campaign worker or political activist.
The term been used since
A political animal is one who is fascinated by politics and who thrives on being closely involved in politics.
The term was first used by Aristotle. Writing in the mid 4th century, BC, the Greek philosopher declared:
…It is
A political football is an otherwise non-partisan issue which politicians try to capitalize on and turn to their advantage. Something is said to be a political football when politicians don’t seem to be trying to solve the problem at hand …
“Political suicide” is an unpopular action that is likely to cause significant harm to their reputation, electoral success, or power within their organization.
These actions can include making unpopular or controversial decisions, engaging in unethical or illegal behavior, or failing …
“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 “hardball” or “sharp-elbowed.”
The term originally comes from a 19th century novel…
A pooh bah is a person with great and often unchecked political power.
A pooh-bah may hold political office but is an ineffective leader who doesn’t accomplish much of anything.
Pooh-bah is generally a derogatory term. It is often used …
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 political term just after the Civil War. It’s derived from …
A pork chopper is a union official who is in his position because of self-interest, not because he has the best interest of the other union members at heart.
Meriam Webster notes that “pork chop” was a slang name for …
“Potomac fever” is the condition where a politician is gripped by a desire to stay in government, whether to make a change or for power’s sake.
The term describes a politician who never intended to stay in Washington, D.C. (which …
The “power behind the throne” is said to be someone who does not hold an official leadership position but who effectively wields control.
The phrase is usually used in the context of government, to describe someone who is close to …
A “power broker” is someone who wields indirect political power, either by influencing the outcomes of elections or by exercising influence over key decision makers.
A power broker is not usually motivated by ideals, or by lofty policy goals. …
“Power corrupts” refers to the statement made by the 19th century British historian Lord Acton who declared that “power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
The phrase has become a truism and is often repeated in conversations about …
A power grab is an attempt by an individual or group to acquire or consolidate power in an unlawful or unethical manner.
This can take many forms, such as seizing control of the government through force or deception, manipulating the …
“Presidential fever” is the overwhelming, fervent desire to be elected president of the United States. Presidential fever can also refer to an extreme love of the office of the presidency.
Presidential fever is related to election fever, but the two …
A “press gaggle” is an informal briefing by the White House press secretary that, unlike a backgrounder, is on the record.
However, video recording is not allowed.
It can occur anywhere, such as on Air Force One, but it …
“Pressing the flesh” refers to shaking hands, usually in a warm and effusive manner. It is an integral part of most political campaigns in normal times.
Mingling, kissing babies, and pressing the flesh are all ways for politicians …
A pro forma session is a brief meeting of a legislative body, typically lasting only a few minutes, during which no formal business is conducted.
These sessions are often used to fulfill a procedural requirement or to demonstrate
The “professional left” consists of left-leaning political pundits, paid activists, and the heads of progressive institutions.
The term “professional left” was coined by White House press secretary Robert Gibbs in an interview with The Hill when he dismissed the concerns …
Psephology is the scientific study and statistical analysis of elections and voting.
The term was coined in 1952 by Oxford Professor R. B. McCallum and is derived from the Greek word psephos, which means pebble, and references the …
A “puppet state” is a country that claims to be independent, but is controlled by an outside state or other power.
The name is derived from the metaphorical image of a puppeteer manipulating a puppet by strings.
In the context …
A “purple state” features roughly even numbers of Democratic and Republican supporters in a presidential election.
It’s also a term used for a swing state on an electoral map. It is purple because it could either go blue or red…
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 also sometimes called palm cards because they’re designed to be small enough to fit in …
A “push poll” is a form of interactive marketing in which political operatives try to sway voters to believe in certain policies or candidates under the guise of an opinion poll.
More akin to propaganda than an actual unbiased opinion …
To “pussyfoot” is to proceed with caution, to move warily but steadily or to sidestep an issue as to not take a side.
It is almost always used in a pejorative sense and, as such, its synonyms include equivocating, hedging, …