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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 …

A “back channel” is an unofficial means of communication between two nations or two political entities.

“Backchanneling” is also used as a verb, to refer …

A “backbencher” is a junior member in the British House of Commons who occupies the back benches of Parliament, sitting behind party leaders and top …

A “backgrounder” is an off-the-record briefing for members of the news media.

Reporters are free to report on what they learn at a background briefing …

The term “bafflegab” is used to describe language or speech that is intentionally vague, misleading, or difficult to understand.

In politics, it is often used …

The term “bagman” is used to describe a person who acts as an intermediary or messenger, delivering or collecting money or other valuable items on …

The Bailey memorandum was circulated among members of the Democratic party in 1956, arguing that Catholic voters were a key demographic that could be harnessed …

A balanced ticket is a paring of political party candidates designed to appeal to a broad swathe of the electorate. A balanced ticket normally includes …

“Ballot box stuffing” is a term that refers to the practice of illegally submitting more than one vote in a ballot in which …

The term “ballyhoo” refers to a type of political propaganda that is designed to create a public spectacle or spectacle and attract attention to a …

To be on the “bandwagon” is to follow a group that has a large and growing number of followers.

A bandwagon is literally a wagon …

In politics, a “bargaining chip” refers to something that is used as leverage in a negotiation, an attempt to pass legislation, or an effort to …

A barnstormer travels around the country or state making political appearances during a political campaign.

The events are typically set up by an advance man…

The terms “battleground state” and “swing state” refer to states that have closely divided support for Democratic and Republican presidential candidates.

They are …

The term “bean counter” is a slang term used to refer to individuals who are perceived as overly focused on financial or budgetary concerns, often …

A beauty contest refers to a unique, non-traditional form of primary where the focus is more on gauging candidate popularity and less on the direct …

“Bed-wetting” refers to someone who expresses doubt or excessive worry about a political outcome.

The term “bed-wetting” in politics has roots in psychological analogies.

Much …

In politics, a “bellwether” refers to a geographic area whose political beliefs and voting preferences reflect that of a wider area.

For example, a county …

“Beltway bandits” describes a private business or political entity that operates inside the Beltway, the interstate highway that encircles Washington, D.C.

More specifically, the …

“Better red than dead” is a phrase that reflects the belief that, despite the widespread perceived dangers of communism and the Soviet Union, it was …