APGOVSUM18.Kamari.Blankenship Flashcards
“The Hill”
Refers to Capital Hill in Washington D.C. where the legislative branch of our federal government is located.
Bipartisan
Involving two political parties
Blue State
the term for states that traditionally vote for Democrats
Bully Pulpit
the president’s use of his prestige and visibility to guide or enthuse the American public
Coattails Effect
Also known as the down-ballot effect is the tendency for a popular political party leader to attract votes for other candidates of the same party in an election
Conservative
holding to traditional attitudes and values and cautious about change or innovation
Constituent
the people represented by an elected official
Demographics
statistical data relating to the population and particular groups within it
Earmark
to set aside money
Entitlements
social programs that continue from one year to the next
Flip-flopper
a sudden real or apparent change of policy or opinion by a public official
Free-Rider Problem
The problem faced by unions and other groups when people do not join because they can benefit from the groups’ activities without officially joining. The bigger the group, the more serious the problem.
Gender Gap
Difference in political views between men and women
Gerrymandering
Drawing of congressional districts to favor one political party/group over another
GOP
It means Grand Old Party. It is the nickname of the Republican Party.
Grassroots
group of ordinary people who come together at a local level for a cause
Gridlock
A situation in which government is incapable of acting on important issues.
Independent Expenditure
Expenses on behalf of a political message that are made by groups that are uncoordinated with any candidate’s campaign.
Inside the Beltway
Relating to something that happened in Washing D.C. This is most often in reference to the U.S. national politics or political system.
K Street
location of the offices of nearly seven thousand organizations that are represented in Washington D.C.
Lameduck
A person still in office after he or she has lost a bid for reelection
Liberal
A person whose views favor more goverment involvement in business, social welfare, minority rights, &increased government spending
Libertarian
One who is conservative on economic issues, liberal on personal conduct issues
Litigation
when people go to court in order to get a positive ruling for their cause. If there is a law that hurts a certain group of people, they can go to court and say that it is unlawful, and that it impinges on their rights.
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
The widely shared beliefs, values, and norms about how citizens relate to governments and to one another.
Political Efficiency
A citizen’s belief that he or she can understand and influence political affairs.
Political Socialization
the process through which an individuals learn a set of political attitudes and form opinions about social issues.
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 broad range of party members, more active than the average voter registered with a party
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
An elected office that is predictably won by one party or the other, so the success of that party’s candidate is almost taken for granted.
SCOTUS
Supreme Court of the United States
Sound Bite
A radio or video clip of someone speaking
Spin Control
placing a certain slant on a story to deflect negative public attention against a candidate or office holder
Stump Speech
a candidate’s “standard” speech, which is repeated throughout his or her campaign
Super PAC
a type of independent political action committee which may raise unlimited sums of money from corporations, unions, and individuals but is not permitted to contribute to or coordinate directly with parties or candidates.
Superdelegate
an unellected 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.
