APGOVSUM18.Edwin.Gomez Flashcards
¨The Hill¨
An American political newspaper and website published in Washington D.C
Bipartisan
Involving the agreement or cooperation of two political parties that usually oppose each other´s polices
Blue State
a US state that predominantly votes for or supports the Democratic Party
Bully Pulpit
a public office or position of authority that provides its occupant with an outstanding opportunity to speak out on any issue
Coattails Effect
The tendency for a popular political party leader to attract votes for other candidates of the same party in an election
Conservative
a person who is averse to change and holds to traditional values and attitudes, typically in relation to politics
Constituent
being a voting member of a community or organization and having the power to appoint or elect
Demographics
statistical data relating to the population and particular groups within it
Earmark
a congressional directive that funds should be spent on a specific project
Entitlements
the amount to which a person has a right
Flip-Flopper
A reversal, as of a stand or position: a foreign policy
Free-Rider Problem
It is a market failure that occurs when people take advantage of being able to use a common resource, or collective good, without paying for it
Gender Gap
the discrepancy in opportunities, status, attitudes, etc., between men and women
Gerrymandering
manipulate the boundaries of an electoral constituency so as to favor one party or class
GOP
(Grand Old Party), is one of the two major political parties in the United States
Grassroots
A type of social movement organization that relies on high levels of membership participation to promote social change
Gridlock
the inability of the government to act because rival parties control different parts of the government
Independent Expenditure
Spending by political action committees, corporations, or labor unions that is done to help a party or candidate but is done independently of them
Inside The Beltway
an American idiom used to characterize matters that are, or seem to be, important primarily to officials of the U.S. federal government
K Street
a major thoroughfare in the United States capital of Washington, D.C. known as a center for numerous think tanks, lobbyists, and advocacy groups
Lameduck
an official (especially the president) in the final period of office, after the election of a successor
Liberal
open to new behavior or opinions and willing to discard traditional values
Libertarian
a person who believes in the doctrine of free will
Litigation
the process of taking legal action
Lobbyist
person who seeks to influence political events
Logrolling
An agreement by two or more lawmakers to support each other’s bills
Mandate
A president’s claim of broad public support
Partisan
a strong supporter of a party, cause, or person
Party Platform
the statement of policies of a national political party
Polarization
the tendency to view things in terms of extremes
Political Action Committee(PAC)
an organization that raises money privately to influence elections or legislation, especially at the federal level
Political Culture
a set of attitudes and practices held by a people that shapes their political behavior
Political Efficacy
the citizens’ faith and trust in government and their belief that they can understand and influence political affairs
Political Socialization
the process by which people form their ideas about politics
Political Suicide
is a concept by which a politician or political party loses widespread support and confidence by proposing actions that are seen as unfavorable or threatening
Pork Barrel Spending
a metaphor for the appropriation of government spending for localized projects secured solely or primarily to bring money to a representative’s district
POTUS
president of the United States
Rank and File
the ordinary members of an organization as opposed to its leaders
Red State
a US state that predominantly votes for or supports the Republican Party
Red Tape
complex bureaucratic rules and procedures that must be followed to get something done
Safe Seat
a legislative seat that is likely to be retained with a large majority in an election
SCOTUS
Supreme Court of the United States
Sound Bite
A radio or video clip of someone speaking
Spin Control
the act or practice of attempting to manipulate the way an event is interpreted by others
Stump Speech
a candidate’s “standard” speech, which is repeated throughout his or her campaign
Super PAC
PAC´s designed to make independent expenditures (unaffiliated with a candidate)
Superdelegate
(in the Democratic Party) an unelected delegate who is free to support any candidate for the presidential nomination at the party’s national convention
Swing State
a US state where the two major political parties have similar levels of support among voters, viewed as important in determining the overall result of a presidential election
Talking Points
a topic that invites discussion or argument
Whistle Blower
a person who informs on a person or organization engaged in an illicit activity
