Summer Work Flashcards
¨The Hill¨
A hill in Washington, D.C., where the Capitol Building sits and Congress meets
Bipartisan
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
A 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
Constituent
Being a voting member of a community or organization and having the power to appoint or elect
Demographics
Statistical data relating to the population and particular groups within it
Earmark
Designate (something, typically funds or resources) for a particular purpose
Entitlements
Having a right to something
Flip-Flopper
A reversal, as of a stand or position: a foreign policy
Free-Rider Problem
A situation where some individuals consume more than their fair share or pay less than their fair share of the cost of a shared resource
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
(Grand Old Party) The Republican Party, is one of the two major political parties in the United States
Grassroots
The common or ordinary people, especially as contrasted with the leadership or elite of a political party, social organization, etc.; the rank and file
Gridlock
A situation in which no progress can be made
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
to characterize matters that are, or seem to be, important primarily to officials of the U.S. federal government and to the corporate media who cover them—as opposed to the interests and priorities of the general U.S. population
K Street
An area in downtown Washington, D.C. where many lobbyists, lawyers and advocacy groups have their offices
Lameduck
An elected official or group continuing to hold political office during the period between the election and the inauguration of a successor
Liberal
Open to new behavior or opinions and willing to discard traditional values
Libertarian
A person who believes in the doctrine of free will
Litigation
The term used to describe proceedings initiated between two opposing parties to enforce or defend a legal right
Lobbyist
A person who takes part in an organized attempt to influence legislators
Logrolling
The practice of exchanging favors by reciprocal voting for each other’s proposed legislation
Mandate
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
Partisan
A strong supporter of a party, cause, or person
Party Platform
A political party’s formal statement of its basic principles, objectives, and positions on major issues
Polarization
Division into two sharply contrasting groups or sets of opinions or beliefs
Political Action Committee (PAC)
A political committee organized for the purpose of raising and spending money to elect and defeat candidates
Political Culture
A set of attitudes and practices held by a people that shapes their political behavior. EX: Moral judgments, political myths, beliefs, and ideas about what makes for a good society
Political Efficacy
The citizens’ faith and trust in government and their belief that they can understand and influence political affairs
Political Socialization
A process by which people form their ideas about politics and acquire political values
Political Suicide
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 unfavorable or that might threaten the status quo
Pork Barrel Spending
The act of using government funds on local projects that are primarily used to bring more money to a specific representative’s district
POTUS
Abbreviation for the President of the United States
Rank and File
The ordinary members of an organization as opposed to its leaders
Red State
A US state that predominantly votes for or supports the Republican Party
Red Tape
Excessive bureaucracy or adherence to rules and formalities, especially in public business
Safe State
A state that is going to almost always vote a certain way
SCOTUS
Abbreviation for the Supreme Court of the United States
Sound Bite
A short extract from a recorded interview, chosen for its pungency or appropriateness
Spin Control
The act or practice of attempting to manipulate the way an event is interpreted by others
Stump Speech
A speech that is made many times by a politician who is traveling to different places during a campaign for election.
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
An unelected delegate who is free to support any candidate for the presidential nomination at the party’s national convention
Swing State
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
Talking Points
A statement designed to support persuasively one side taken on an issue
Whistle Blower
A person who informs on a person or organization engaged in an illicit activity
