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A “sacred cow” is any program, policy, or person that is regarded as being beyond attack or untouchable.

The term references the status held by …

In politics, a “safety net” – also known as a “social safety net” – refers to the welfare programs that are designed to provide benefits …

“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 …

“Samizdat” was a form of underground press commonly available in eastern European countries with state-owned media sources.

It is a Russian term that translates to …

Sandbagging is deceptive behavior intended to lower someone’s expectations so that they can be taken by surprise later.

Typically, sandbagging involves lulling someone into a …

The Saturday Night Massacre refers to October 20, 1973, the Saturday night when then-President Richard Nixon gave the order to fire special prosecutor …

A “scalawag” is a pejorative term for a white southerner who supported Reconstruction efforts in the south in the late 1800s.

They are often associated …

A “scorched earth” approach is a ruthless attempt to win at all costs.

A “take no prisoners” approach is a rough synonym; both terms imply …

A “Senate hold” is how a U.S. senator informally signals his objection to a bill or presidential nomination.

Most congressional actions clear parliamentary hurdles by …

To “send them a message” is a call to action from a politician telling supporters to use their political capital to voice their opinion.

This …

“Separate but equal” was the infamous justification for the decision in Plessy v Ferguson, the case that formally legalized segregation.

The justification behind the decision …

The U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate each have a sergeant-at-arms, whose job it is to maintain order in the legislative chamber.

The sergeant-at-arms …

A “shadow cabinet” is formed when the opposition party in a parliamentary system appoints members to serve in each of the cabinet-level positions — even …

The term “sharp-elbowed” refers in politics to being aggressive and assertive when it comes to pursuing a political agenda or pushing one’s point of view.…

A Shermanesque statement is a clear and direct statement by a potential political candidate indicating that he or she will not run for …

Shivercrats were a conservative faction of the Texas Democratic Party in the 1950s named for Texas Gov. Allan Shivers (D).

The term was first used …

To have your opponent by the “short hairs” means that you’ve got them in a tight spot, and they are at your mercy.

If you’re …

In the context of politics, the phrase “shot/chaser” is typically used to describe a juxtaposition of two related yet contrasting pieces of information, often presented …

A “shy voter” is one who does not admit to supporting a certain candidate to pollsters, but still votes for that candidate in the election.…

The term “silent majority” refers to a large block of voters that feel marginalized, silenced or underserved by the political system.

It’s commonly assumed that, …

The term “sine die” is a Latin phrase that literally means “without a day” or “without setting a day.”

In politics, it is …

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 sit-in is a form of peaceful protest that involves sitting down and occupying space, often preventing access to a business or public space.

Sit-ins …

A “situation room” is a physical room in which key decision makers gather to share information and make plans about the major issues affecting their …

The “six-year itch” is the election held in the sixth year of a president’s tenure.

In this election, the party holding the White House historically …

In politics, the term “slash-and-burn” refers to a strategy of aggressively undermining existing policies or reputations to achieve a particular goal — often without much …

A “slogan” is a short and catchy phrase used to promote a candidate for political office or an idea.

Slogans attempt to be memorable so …

In politics, “slow-walk” is a term used to describe an effort to prevent legislation or a political process from moving forward by intentionally slowing it …

A “slush fund” is an unregulated store of money which is often used for illicit or illegal purposes.

A slush fund can come from political …

To “smear” someone is to spread lies and false accusations in an attempt to hurt their public image. 

Smearing is similar to mudslinging, but with …

A smear campaign is repeated uses of smears in an attempt to try to damage someone’s reputation, typically to make them lose an election.

The …

“Smell of jet fuel” is a reference to the impatience that sets in when Members of Congress are ready to leave Washington, D.C. to return …

“Smoke and mirrors” are tricks used to obscure the truth, usually through distraction, misdirection, or partial truths.

The tactic can also be used to draw …

A “smoke-filled room” is used to describe a situation where politicians or other powerful individuals gather in a private, enclosed space to make …

In politics, the term “smoking gun” refers to a piece of evidence that definitively proves a crime or wrongdoing by an official.

The term originated …

A “snollygoster” is a political operative or candidate who uses cunning or ethically questionable behavior to achieve power.

It’s similar to what we call a …

The term “snowflake” has become a notable expression in contemporary political discourse, particularly within the United States.

As a political term, it is …

“Soft power” is the ability to obtain what one wants through co-option rather than the use of coercion.

In recent years, the concept of soft …

In the second half of the 20th century, the Republican party used the so-called “Southern strategy” to win the votes of white southerners.

White southerners …

The term “Speaker Emerita” is a title bestowed on a former Speaker of the House of Representatives in the United States who has left the …

“Spin Alley” is the place designated after a political debate where reporters interview analysts and campaign operatives who attempt to “spin” the news coverage of …

A split ticket is when a voter chooses candidates from different political parties in the same election.

This practice reflects an individual’s willingness to evaluate …

A “spoiler” is a candidate who has no chance of winning, but whose candidacy still impacts the outcome of the election.

A spoiler candidate …

The “spoils system” describes when a candidate wins election and then rewards campaign staffers and fundraisers by appointing them to prized jobs in the administration.…

The term “squish” is often used as a pejorative to describe a politician, typically within the context of their own party, who is perceived as …

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 …

A “steamroller” is someone who brings something about by means of brute political might.

A politician might be said to steamroll the opposition, or even …

A “stemwinder” is a rousing political speech that galvanizes a crowd to take action.

It’s a speech that is able to capture the attention and …

Straight ticket voting allows voters to choose every candidate on a single party’s slate by making just one ballot mark.

Over the years, many states …

The term “strange bedfellows” describes politicians with seemingly opposing ideologies or interests who form an alliance for a specific political objective.

This phenomenon is a …

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 …

A “straw donor” is an individual who illegally uses another person’s money to make a political contribution in their own name.

This practice is considered …

A “straw man” refers to an intentionally misrepresented proposition or argument that is set up because it is easier to defeat than an opponent’s real …

A “straw poll” refers to an informal or unofficial vote conducted to gauge the popularity of candidates running for office, or to measure the opinion …

A stump speech is a speech that a politician makes again and again as they travel to different places during a campaign.

The speech might …

A supermajority refers to a requirement for a higher percentage of votes than a simple majority to approve a decision, measure, or action within a …

A “surrogate” refers to an individual who publicly speaks on behalf of a candidate or elected official, typically to promote, defend, or explain their positions …

When it’s time to leave a race for public office, candidates often announce their “suspended campaign” instead of actually dropping out.

Practically speaking, there is …

“Swiftboating” refers to the use of dishonest or misleading tactics to attack or smear the reputation or character of a political opponent.

The …