Speaker Emerita
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 …
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 …
The “political graveyard” refers to the careers of politicians who have experienced a significant decline of their political influence and electoral viability.
This can be …
“Peace through strength” is the accumulation of military power and security assets by a country to encourage an amenable diplomatic atmosphere with other countries.
A “three martini lunch” is a long, leisurely lunch, usually associated with either business or backroom political dealings.
The three martini lunch had its heyday …
The Fair Deal was a package of economic and social reforms put forward by President Harry Truman, with the stated purpose of giving all Americans …
Karl Marx famously declared that religion is the opiate of the people.
There are a few conflicting translations of the quote, so that sometimes religion …
In politics, gridlock is a situation in which the government is unable to pass new legislation, often because the presidency and the Congress are controlled …
The “Era of Good Feeling” refers to a period in U.S. history from about 1815 until about 1825, characterized by a sense of optimism and …
A “quagmire” refers to a dangerous and usually complex situation which is difficult to exit.
In literal terms, a quagmire is a soft, marshy area …
A “boodle” refers to a large sum of bribe money or graft money.
Boodle can also be used to mean a large collection of something. …
The “great debates” were a series of public debates between Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas.
In 1858, Douglas, an Illinois Democrat, was running for re-election …
“Give ’em hell Harry” is a reference to President Harry Truman’s 1948 re-election campaign. It’s also the name of a very successful play and movie.…
The “Compact of Fifth Avenue” resulted from a meeting in 1960 between aspiring presidential candidate Richard Nixon met Nelson Rockefeller in Rockefeller’s New York City …
The phrase “fuck around and find out” conveys a challenge or warning.
It’s often directed towards a political opponent, indicating that certain actions …
A “Mission Accomplished moment” has come to mean any grandiose declaration of success by a politician or political leader which later proves false.
It’s an …
A “hatchet man” is an operative in charge of doing political dirty work — or dirty tricks — both during a campaign and sometimes as …
“Dyed in the wool” is a phrase referring to people who hold very strong opinions and are unwilling to change them.
Synonyms include “uncompromising” and …
A “captive candidate” is one who is allegedly “owned” by special interests or political groups. Calling someone a “captive candidate” is similar to saying that …
“Eight millionaires and a plumber” is a dismissive reference to President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s first cabinet.
Eisenhower’s critics complained that the president’s top advisers were …
In politics, a “big tent” refers to an inclusive party which encourages a wide swathe of people to become members.
The opposite of “big tent” …
To “rattle the cage” is an attempt to get attention, often through annoying, angering, or protesting.
This tactic is employed to challenge complacency, stir public …
“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 …
“Ballot box stuffing” is a term that refers to the practice of illegally submitting more than one vote in a ballot in which …
“Every Man a King” is the title of a speech delivered in 1934 by Senator Huey Long of Louisiana.
The speech, which Long delivered on …
“Chicken in every pot” was Republican campaign slogan of the late 1920s.
The slogan is often incorrectly attributed to Herbert Hoover; it became a means …
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 …
“Five o’clock follies” is a familiar and derogatory nickname for the daily press briefings that the U.S. military held for American reporters during the Vietnam …
The “enemies list” was a tally of political opponents kept by the Nixon administration.
The phrase is now used as shorthand to refer …
“Dirty tricks” are actions taken by a political campaign or candidate to damage their opponents that may involve unethical, distasteful, or illegal behaviors.
Political candidates …
A “blue state” is one whose voters elect primarily Democratic candidates.
It is the opposite of a red state, which elects primarily Republican candidates.…
A “clothespin vote” is a colorful term referring to a vote given to the “less objectionable” candidate despite a distaste for him or her. It’s …
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 …
The Chatham House Rule is a system for holding discussions on potentially controversial topics, particularly in politics and public affairs.
At a meeting held under …
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 …
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 …
To “play in Peoria” is a phrase meaning how well something will appeal to the heartland or mainstream America.
Peoria is an actual city in …
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 …
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 …
In politics, the term “smoking gun” refers to a piece of evidence that definitively proves a crime or wrongdoing by a public official.
The term “bleeding hearts” refers to people who care deeply — so deeply that their hearts bleed — about the suffering of the needy. The …
Broadly speaking, “big government” is a political term that refers to how much influence the federal government has on the day-to-day lives of American citizens.…
“Separate but equal” was the infamous justification for the decision in Plessy v Ferguson, the case that formally legalized segregation.
The justification …
A “one-house bill” is a bill introduced by a lawmaker for the purpose of grandstanding or to demonstrate their effort to fulfill political promises without …
A whistleblower refers to an individual who exposes illicit activities, misconduct, or unethical practices occurring within a political entity, government institution, or related organizations.
Whistleblowers …
The “deep state” is a conspiracy theory which suggests that collusion exists within the U.S. political system and a hidden government within the legitimately elected …
The “cemetery vote” refers to a form of voter fraud, in which votes are cast in the names of registered voters who have, in fact, …
A “contested convention,” sometimes also referred to as a “brokered convention,” occurs when no single candidate for president secures the majority of delegates …
“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 …
“Death panels” was a political term which falsely referred to the supposed dangers posed by the Affordable Care Act.
Some opponents of the law, better …
A “cromnibus” bill is legislation which combines a long-term omnibus spending bill with a shorter-term continuing resolution.
From Marketplace:
…It’s that time of year
“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 …
“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 …
A “chilling effect” is a situation in which rights are restricted, often because of indirect political pressure or overbroad legislation.
Chilling effect is usually used …
A “concession speech” is the speech a candidate delivers after the vote results are clear, when they publicly acknowledge that they’ve been defeated in an …
A “slogan” is a short and catchy phrase used to promote a candidate for political office or an idea.
Slogans are crafted to be catchy, …
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.…
“Off the record” is a term used in journalism meaning that the information given to the reporter cannot be attributed to the person saying it.…
A “city on a hill” is used to refer to America’s supposed standing in the world, as a “beacon of hope” which other nations can …
A “red state” is one whose voters elect primarily Republican candidates.
It is the opposite of a blue state, which elects primarily Democratic candidates.…
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 …
“Fake electors” refers to a controversial incident that emerged during the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election, a hotly contested …
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 “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 …
The “Gang of Eight” refers to a group of eight elected officials who are responsible for reviewing and receiving sensitive intelligence information.
Who …
The term “wise men” refers to a group of respected, experienced individuals who are consulted for their expertise and judgment on important matters of policy …
Freedom riders were northerners who took interstate buses down to the south in order to protest Jim Crow and segregation policies.
In political parlance, the term “wing nut” is often used as a pejorative to describe someone who holds extreme, radical, or fringe views.
The term …
“Under suspension of the rules” refers to a process in the House of Representatives where a bill or resolution is considered without following all the …
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 “back channel” is an unofficial means of communication between two nations or two political entities.
“Backchanneling” is also used as a verb, to refer …
The terms “battleground state” and “swing state” refer to states that have closely divided support for Democratic and Republican presidential candidates.
They are …
“Entryism” is a political tactic of joining an organization with which you do not agree with the intention of changing it from the inside.
The …
“Woke” is a term that has evolved and expanded in usage, particularly within political and cultural discourse.
The term is connected to the broader concept …
Gaslighting is a form of psychological manipulation that seeks to sow seeds of doubt in a targeted individual or group.
It makes them …
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 …
In politics, “vetting” refers to the process of thoroughly investigating and evaluating a candidate’s background, qualifications, and character before they are selected for a political …
“Obstructionism” is the act of deliberately stalling, delaying, or preventing legislation from being passed.
It is a tactic used to delay, alter, or prevent specific …
The “Daisy ad” is a political advertisement that aired only once during the 1964 U.S. presidential campaign but has since become emblematic of …
The term “going rogue” is used to describe a situation where a politician breaks with established norms and party lines.
This can involve expressing …
The term “young guns” is often used to refer to a group of up-and-coming, ambitious individuals who are seen as the future leaders or influencers …
A “true believer” refers to an individual who passionately supports a particular ideology, political party, or politician with unwavering conviction.
Such individuals often hold their …
The term “snowflake” has become a notable expression in contemporary political discourse, particularly within the United States.
As a political term, it is …
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 …
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 …
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 …
“Movers and shakers” are those who have power and influence in business, politics, or other segments of the public sphere.
Party leadership, committee leaders, or …
The term “mollycoddle” means to treat certain constituents or voters in an almost absurdly overprotective way.
Typically used in the context of the “welfare state” …
Shuttle diplomacy is a method of negotiation where an intermediary, often a high-profile figure, travels back and forth between parties who are either unwilling to …
Class warfare refers to the tension and struggle between different socioeconomic classes, often framed as the conflict between the wealthy and the working classes.…
The “nuclear option” is a metaphorical term that refers to a parliamentary procedure in the U.S. Senate allowing for a significant change to the rules …
An “old bull” is a powerful and influential Member of Congress.
Old bulls are typically senior members who have worked their way into positions of …
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, …
A tag-team hold is when two or more senators agree to circumvent a 2011 resolution limiting secret senate holds to two days.
One senator will …
The “deduct box” was the locked box where legendary Louisiana Gov. Huey Long kept “deducts” from state employee salaries to fund his political operation.
Estimates …
“Mama Grizzlies” is a metaphor used by 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin for conservative women.
Palin used the metaphor of a mother grizzly …
“Nut-cutting time” is when drastic actions are required, because all other methods have failed. The phrase is used in sports as well as in politics.…
Electability refers to a political candidate’s perceived ability to win an election, as assessed by voters, party insiders, political pundits, and the media.
It encapsulates …
“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 …
The term “muckety muck” refers to individuals who hold significant power, influence, or high rank within politics.
It can be a somewhat dismissive or derogatory …
The term “double-max” refers to a practice in campaign finance where an individual contributes the maximum allowed amount to a candidate’s primary and general election …
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.…