Political Jargon

Question 1

¨The Hill¨

Answer 1

The Hill is a top US political website, read by the White House and more lawmakers than any other site – vital for policy, politics and election campaigns

Question 2

Bipartisan

Answer 2

Of or involving the agreement or cooperation of two political parties that usually oppose each other´s policies

Question 3

Blue State

Answer 3

A US state that predominantly votes for or supports the Democratic party

Question 4

Bully Pulpit

Answer 4

A public office or position of authority that provides its occupant with an outstanding opportunity to speak out on any issue

Question 5

Coattails Effect

Answer 5

The tendency for a popular political party leader to attract votes for other candidates of the same party in an election

Question 6

Conservative

Answer 6

Holding to traditional attitudes and values and cautious about change or innovation, typically in relation to politics or religion

Question 7

Constituent

Answer 7

Being a voting member of a community or organization and having the power to appoint or elect

Question 8

Demographics

Answer 8

Statistical data relating to the population and particular groups within it

Question 9

Earmarks

Answer 9

A congressional directive that funds should be spent on a specific project

Question 10

Entitlements

Answer 10

The belief that one is inherently deserving of privileges or special treatment

Question 11

Flip-flopper

Answer 11

a U-turn, or reversal of position, a sudden shift in opinion

Question 12

Free-Rider Problem

Answer 12

Occurs when those who benefit from resources, public goods, or services do not pay for them, which results in an underprovision of those goods or services.

Question 13

Gender Gap

Answer 13

The differences between women and men, especially as reflected in social, political, intellectual, cultural, or economic attainments or attitudes

Question 14

Gerrymandering

Answer 14

The act of altering political boundaries in order to give an unfair advantage to one political party or group of people

Question 15

GOP

Answer 15

One of the two major political parties in the United States, the other being its historic rival, the Democratic Party.

Question 16

Grassroots

Answer 16

The common or ordinary people, especially as contrasted with the leadership or elite of a political party, social organization, etc, the rank and file.

Question 17

Gridlock

Answer 17

A situation when there is difficulty passing laws that satisfy the needs of the people

Question 18

Independent Expenditures

Answer 18

Spending by political action committees, corporations, or labor unions that is done to help a party or candidate but is done independently of them

Question 19

Inside the Beltway

Answer 19

An idiom that refers to the highway that has surrounded Washington D.C. since 1964

Question 20

K Street

Answer 20

A major thoroughfare in the United States capital of Washington, D.C. known as a center for numerous think tanks, lobbyists, and advocacy groups

Question 21

Lameduck

Answer 21

A politician who is still in office after having lost a reelection bid

Question 22

Liberal

Answer 22

One who favors more government regulation of business and support for social welfare but less regulation of private social conduct

Question 23

Liberation

Answer 23

One who is conservative on economic issues, liberal on personal conduct issues

Question 24

Litigation

Answer 24

The process of taking legal action

Question 25

Lobbyist

Answer 25

A person who takes part in an organized attempt to influence legislators

Question 26

Logrolling

Answer 26

The practice of exchanging favors, especially in politics by reciprocal voting for each other’s proposed legislation

Question 27

Mandate

Answer 27

The authority to carry out a policy or course of action, regarded as given by the electorate to a candidate or party that is victorious in an election

Question 28

Partisan

Answer 28

A strong supporter of a party, cause, or person

Question 29

Party Platform

Answer 29

A formal set of principle goals which are supported by a political party or individual candidate, in order to appeal to the general public, for the ultimate purpose of garnering the general public’s support and votes about complicated topics or issues

Question 30

Polarization

Answer 30

Division into two sharply contrasting groups or sets of opinions or beliefs

Question 31

Political Action Committee

Answer 31

An organization that raises money privately to influence elections or legislation, especially at the federal level

Question 32

Political Culture

Answer 32

The set of attitudes, beliefs, and sentiments which give order and meaning to a political process and which provide the underlying assumptions and rules that govern behavior in the political system

Question 33

Political Efficacy

Answer 33

The citizens’ faith and trust in government and their belief that they can understand and influence political affairs.

Question 34

Political Socialization

Answer 34

The process by which people form their ideas about politics

Question 35

Political Suicide

Answer 35

A concept by which a politician or political party loses widespread support and confidence from the voting public by proposing actions that are seen as unfavourable or that might threaten the status quo.

Question 36

Pork Barrel Spending

Answer 36

A metaphor for the appropriation of government spending for localized projects secured solely or primarily to bring money to a representative’s district

Question 37

POTUS

Answer 37

the President of the United States

Question 38

Rank and File

Answer 38

The ordinary members of an organization as opposed to its leaders.

Question 39

Red State

Answer 39

A US state that predominantly votes for or supports the Republican Party

Question 40

Red Tape

Answer 40

Refers to excessive regulation or rigid conformity to formal rules that is considered redundant or bureaucratic and hinders or prevents action or decision-making

Question 41

Safe Seat

Answer 41

A legislative seat that is likely to be retained with a large majority in an election

Question 42

SCOTUS

Answer 42

The Supreme Court of the United States

Question 43

Sound Bite

Answer 43

A piece of a person speaking during a video or speech

Question 44

Spin Control

Answer 44

A form of propaganda, achieved through providing an interpretation of an event or campaign to persuade public opinion in favor or against a certain organization or public figure; 10th Amendment

Question 45

Stump Speech

Answer 45

A standard speech used by a politician running for office

Question 46

Super PAC

Answer 46

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

Question 47

Superdelegate

Answer 47

An un-elected delegate who is free to support any candidate for the presidential nomination at the party’s national convention.(democratic party)

Question 48

Swing State

Answer 48

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.

Question 49

Talking Points

Answer 49

A topic that invites discussion or argument.

Question 50

Whistle Blower

Answer 50

A person who informs on a person or organization engaged in an illicit activity