Political Jargon summer 2018 Flashcards
“The Hill”
a newspaper that publishes each day that congress is in session
also short term for capitol hill
Bipartisan
of or involving the agreement or cooperation of two political parties that usually oppose each other’s policies
Blue State
a US state that predominantly votes for or supports the Democratic Party
Bully Pulpit
coming from Theodore Roosevelt it is a public office or authority that provides its occupant with an 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
a person who is averse to change and holds to traditional values and attitudes
Constituent
a member of a constituency (voter, elector)
Demographics
statistical data relating to the population and particular groups within it
Earmark
“hidden” congressional provision that directs federal government to fund a specific project or exempts specific people or groups from paying specific federal taxes or fees
Entitlements
government sponsored programs providing mandated/guaranteed/required benefits to those who meet eligibility requirements
Flip-Flopper
a sudden or unexpected reversal, as of direction, belief, attitude, or policy
Free-Rider Problem
The problem faced by interest groups when citizens can reap the benefits of interest group action without actually joining
Gender Gap
Differences in political views between men and women
Gerrymandering
describes the deliberate rearrangement of the boundaries of congressional districts to influence the outcome of elections
GOP
(Grand Old Party
The republican party which is one f the two major political parties in the united states
Grassroots
a group within a larger group, party or government. A social movement organization that relies on high levels of membership participation to promote social change
Gridlock
inability of the government to act because rival parties control different parts of the government
(one part controls the white house and another party controls one or both houses of congress)
Independent Expenditure
spending by political action committees, corporations or labor unions that is done to help a party or candidate but is done independently of them
Inside the Beltway
Relating to something that happened in Washington Dc this is most often in reference to the us national politics or political system
K Street
a major thoroughfare in the united states capital of Washington DC known as a center for numerous think tanks, lobbyists, and advocacy groups
Lameduck
Someone who was elected into a particular job that is nearing the end of their term, usually when their successor is already chosen
Liberal
One who favors more limited and local government, less government regulation of markets, and more social conformity to traditional norms and values
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 case. can go to court to say that is a law hurts a certain group they can say that it is unlawful and impinges on their rights.
Lobbyist
A person who is trying to influence public opinion or the opinion of a politician about an issue. Someone who is trying to persuade a politician to vote a certain way
Logrolling
The exchanging of favors in politics, usually by voting for one another’s legislation
Mandate
requirement or an order from the central government that all state and local government must comply with
Partisan
making decisions or voting on the basis of party opinion
Party Platform
political party’s statement of its goals and policies for the next for years. drafted prior to the part convention by a committee whose members are chosen in rough proportion to each candidate’s strengths
Polarization
When the publics opinion divides and goes to extremes
Political Action Committee
PAC
Organizations that solicit and receive campaign contributions from corporations, unions, trade associations, and ideological and issue oriented groups and their members; these distribute the funds to political candidates
Political Culture
widely shared beliefs, values and norms about how citizens relate to governments and to one another
Political Efficacy
the citizens’ faith and trust in the government and their belief that they can understand and influence political affairs
Political Socialization
group consisting of members sharing common characteristics. Its a process in which individuals learn a set of political attitudes and form opinions about social issues.
Political Suicide
concept by which a politician or political party loses widespread support and confidence from the voting public by proposing actions that are seen as unfavorable or that might threaten the status quo
Pork Barrel Spending
A derogatory term describing when the government funds a project or something that is used to win votes, make money, or please voters
POTUS
acronym for the President of the United States
Rank and File
The average members of a particular organization, not its leaders; the members of a party or group who form the majority of it, excluding the officers
Red State
refers to states where the republican candidate carried the electoral vote
Red Tape
Following of rules and procedures, excessive bureaucracy
Safe Seat
electoral district (constituency) in a legislative body which is regarded as fully secure, for either a certain political party, or incumbent representative personally or a combination of both
SCOTUS
The Supreme Court of the United States
Sound Bite
An excerpt from a recorded interview, chosen for its appropiatness
Spin Control
the act or practice of attempting to manipulate the way an event is interpreted by others
Stump Speech
A speech given by a politician that outlines their goals or 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
(democratic party) an unelected delegate who is free to support any candidate for the presidential nomination at the party’s national convention
Swing State
a state in which voters usually swing from one part to another. important when discovering the result of an election
Talking Points
- a succinct statement designed to support persuasively one side taken on an issue
- something that someone tends to be repeated in a debate or speech
Whistle Blower
an employee who exposes unethical or illegal conduct within the federal government or one of its contractors
