political jargon Flashcards
Bipartisan
involving the agreement or cooperation of two political parties that usually oppose each other’s policies
Blue state
US state that predominantly votes for or supports the Democratic Party
Bully Pulpit
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
holding to traditional attitudes and values and cautious about change or innovation, typically in relation to politics or religion
Constituent
a voting member of a community or organization and having the power to appoint or elect
Demographic
particular sector of a population
Earmark
congressional directive that funds should be spent on a specific project
Entitlement
he amount to which a person has a right.
Flip-Flopper
a person, especially a politician, who suddenly changes his or her opinion or policy He described his opponent as a flip-flopper.
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 joinin
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
The Republican Party, on its official web site, points out that Grand Old Party - while certainly the accepted meaning for GOP, for many years - is not the original meaning, or even the only one
Grassroots
the most basic level of an activity or organization.
Gridlock
another term for deadlock
Independent Expenditure
in elections in the United States, is a political campaign communication that expressly advocates for the election or defeat
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
s 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
one that is weak or that falls behind in ability or achievement; especially, chiefly British an ailing company. or, an elected official or group continuing to hold political office during the period between the election and the inauguration of a successor.