political Jargon Flashcards
“The Hill”
American Political news paper
Bipartisan
involving the agreement or cooperation of two political parties that usually oppose each other’s policies.
Blue State
a state the supports the democratic party
Bully Pulpit
a position that allows an opportunity to speak out and be listened to.
coattails effect
The tendency for a popular political party leader to attract votes for other candidates of the same party in an election
Conservative
political philosophy that favors tradition in the face of external forces for change, and is critical of proposals for radical social change.
constituents
a member of a constituency. (aka Voter)
demographics
statistical data relating to the population and particular groups within it.
earmark
bill that directs funds to a specific recipient
entitlements
Entitlement programs are rights granted to citizens and certain non-citizens by federal law.
flip-flopper
politician, who suddenly changes his or her opinion or policy
free-rider problems
market failure that occurs when people take advantage of being able to use a common resource
gender gap
refers to the difference in the percentage of women and the percentage of men voting for a given candidate
gerrymandering
practice intended to establish a political advantage for a particular party or group by manipulating district boundaries
GOP
The Republican Party
grassroots
A grassroots movement is one which uses the people in a given district, region, or community as the basis for a political or economic movement
gridlock
political stalemate refers to a situation when there is difficulty passing laws that satisfy the needs of the people
independent expenditures
is a political campaign communication that expressly advocates for the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate that is not made in cooperation,
inside the beltway
is 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
Lameduck
one that is weak or that falls behind in ability or achievement
liberal
a political and moral philosophy based on liberty and equality.
libertarian
collection of political philosophies
litigation
brought before a court of law suitably empowered to hear the case (lawsuit)
lobbyist
the act of attempting to influence the actions, policies, or decisions of officials
logrolling
advance agreement by legislators to vote for one another’s bills.
Mandate
the authority granted by a constituency to act as its representative
partisan
committed member of a political party or political coalitions
Party Platform
formal set of principle goals
Polarization
divergence of political attitudes to ideological extremes
political action committee (PAC)
organization that raises money privately to influence elections or legislation, especially at the federal level.
political culture
sets of beliefs that provide the underlying assumptions and rules that govern behavior in the political system
political efficacy
the citizens’ faith and trust in government
political socialization
lifelong process by which people form their ideas about politics
political suicide
political party loses widespread support
pork barrel spending
government spending for localized projects
POTUS
President of the United States
rank and file
used to refer to enlisted rank troops, as opposed to the officers.
SCOTUS
the Supreme Court of the United States.
sound bites
A piece of a person speaking during a video or speech.
spin control
the act or practice of attempting to manipulate the way an event is interpreted by others
stump speech
a standard speech used by a politician running for office
super PAC
may raise unlimited sums of money from corporations, unions, associations and individuals , then this is spend on a candidate
superdelegate
Democratic Party, an unelected delegate who is free to support any candidate for the presidential nomination at the party’s national convention.
swing states
state that could reasonably be won by either the Democratic or Republican presidential candidate.
talking points
statement designed to support persuasively one side taken on an issue.
whistle blower
person who exposes any kind of information or activity that is deemed illegal
