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In politics, a “rainmaker” is an individual who can raise campaign funds for others.

Often, a rainmaker is a retired politician who still has a significant following and can make …

The “rally around the flag” effect is when there’s a short-term surge in voter approval as the nation unites behind its leader during a crisis or emergency situation.

Political …

Ranked-choice voting is an electoral system where voters rank candidates in order of preference, instead of voting for just one candidate.

If no candidate receives a majority of first-choice votes, …

The term “ranking member” refers to the most senior member of the minority party on a congressional committee in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate.

The ranking …

“Ratfucking” is the art of carrying out dirty tricks and crafty maneuvers, usually in the name of winning an election.

Originating from slang used in political circles, the term captures …

To “rattle the cage” is an attempt to get attention, often through annoying, angering, or protesting.

The phrase has its roots in the visual imagery of shaking a cage to …

“Read my lips” ia a phrase used by George H.W. Bush in his speech for the 1988 Republican nomination for president. The full quote is “Read my lips: no new …

Realpolitik is a system of politics based on concrete, practical goals, rather than on morality or abstract ideals. According to Merriam Webster, the term was first used in 1895. It …

A “recall election” allows voters to oust an elected official, by means of a direct vote,while that official is still  in the middle of their term.

Recall elections …

A recess appointment is a presidential appointment typically requiring Senate approval that is made during a Senate recess.

To be confirmed, the appointment must be approved by the Senate by …

A “red herring” is an argument or piece of information that distracts from a different and more important issue.

In some cases, political operatives may deliberately plant red herrings to …

“Red meat” is a term used in politics to refer to statements or policies that are designed to appeal to a political party’s base or to generate a strong emotional …

A “red state” is one whose voters elect primarily Republican candidates.

It is the opposite of a blue state, which elects primarily Democratic candidates.

There are different levels of …

“Rendezvous with destiny” was a phrase used by Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1936 when he accepted the Democratic nomination to run again for the presidency.

FDR gave a rousing speech…

“Retail politics” refers to a style of political campaigning where candidates focus on direct, personal engagement with individual voters rather than relying on mass media or large campaign events.

It …

The term “revolving door” refers to the practice where individuals move between roles in the public and private sectors, especially within industries that they had been responsible for …

The “Richards effect” is the phenomenon in which polls consistently underestimate support for female candidates relative to white male candidates.

The termed was coined by political scientists Christopher Stout and …

“Riddick’s Senate Procedure” is a comprehensive reference work that serves as the definitive guide to the rules, practices, and precedents governing the United States Senate.

Named after Floyd M. Riddick, …

Republican In Name Only — or RINO, for short — is a disparaging term that refers to a Republican candidate whose political views are seen as insufficiently conforming …

The phrase “rising tide lifts all boats” expresses the idea that if the economy improves, every participant in the economy will be in an improved financial position.

The phrase originally …

A “robocall” is an automated telephone call that delivers a prerecorded message to multiple phone numbers. Typically, robocalls are used for mass messaging.

Robocalls are often used in political campaigns …

“Roorback” is a false, dirty or slanderous story used for political advantage, usually about a candidate seeking political office.

In 1940 the Chicago Tribune offered this definition:

A roorback is

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 “rubber chicken circuit” is the nickname given to the endless parade of dinners that political candidates must attend during a campaign for office in order to meet donors and …

“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 …

“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 …