Political Jargon

Question 1

“The Hill”

Answer 1

An American political newspaper and website published in Washington, D.C (1994)

Question 2

Bipartisan

Answer 2

the agreement or cooperation of two political parties who oppose each other

Question 3

Blue State

Answer 3

a U.S 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

(aka down-ballot effect) 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

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

Earmark

Answer 9

Funds set aside for a specific purpose

Question 10

Entitlements

Answer 10

benefits guaranteed by law to individuals by the federal government, such as social security

Question 11

Flip-fopper

Answer 11

a sudden reversal, unexpected change in a policy, value, or belief

Question 12

Free-Rider Problem

Answer 12

occurs when those who benefit from resources, public goods, or services do not pay for them

Question 13

Gender Gap

Answer 13

The differences between men and women

Question 14

Gerrymandering

Answer 14

manipulate the boundaries of an electoral constituency

Question 15

GOP

Answer 15

The Grand Old Party is one of the two major political parties in the U.S

Question 16

Grassroots

Answer 16

the most basic level of an activity or organization

Question 17

Grindlock

Answer 17

deadlock or political stalemate refers to a situation when there is difficulty passing laws that satisfy the needs of the people

Question 18

Independent Expenditure

Answer 18

a political campaign communication that expressly advocates for the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate that is not made in cooperation

Question 19

Inside the Beltway

Answer 19

The area inside the Capital Beltway encircling Washington, D.C

Question 20

K Street

Answer 20

K Street is a major thoroughfare in the United States capital of Washington, D.C. where lobbyists, and advocacy groups often gather

Question 21

Lameduck

Answer 21

an official in the final period of office

Question 22

Liberal

Answer 22

open to new behavior or opinions

Question 23

Libertarian

Answer 23

political philosophies and movements that uphold liberty as a core principle

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 trading of favors

Question 27

Mandate

Answer 27

an official order or commission

Question 28

Partisan

Answer 28

a committed member of a political party

Question 29

Party Platform

Answer 29

a political party’s formal statement of its basic principles, objectives, and positions on major issues

Question 30

Polarization

Answer 30

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

Question 31

Political Action Committee (PAC)

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 manifestation of the psychological and subjective dimensions of politics

Question 33

Political Efficacy

Answer 33

is the citizens’ faith and trust in government

Question 34

Political Socialization

Answer 34

the process by which people form their ideas about politics

Question 35

Political Suicide

Answer 35

an action one makes, destroying political chances

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 U.S president

Question 38

Rank and File

Answer 38

the ordinary members of an organization as opposed to its leaders

Question 39

Red State

Answer 39

US state that predominantly votes for or supports the Republican Party

Question 40

Red Tape

Answer 40

excessive bureaucracy or adherence to rules and formalities, especially in public business

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 U.S Supreme Court

Question 43

Sound Bite

Answer 43

A piece of a person speaking during a video or speech. Sig- The use of sound bites in this day and time is to make fun of politicians

Question 44

Spin Control

Answer 44

the act or practice of attempting to manipulate the way an event is interpreted by others

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

(in the Democratic Party) an un-elected delegate who is free to support any candidate for the presidential nomination at the party’s national convention

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 and argument

Question 50

Whistle Blower

Answer 50

a person who informs others of corruption or wrongdoing