Summer Assignment Political Jargon

Question 1

Inside The Beltway

Answer 1

Political activities of Washington D.C

Question 2

Policy Wonk

Answer 2

Someone who is highly knowledgeable and enthusiastic about policy details

Question 3

Flip-Flop

Answer 3

A sudden or obvious change in position or opinion, often made by a politician

Question 4

John Q. Public

Answer 4

A generic name used to represent an average person or citizen

Question 5

Pundit

Answer 5

A political commentator or expert who gives opinions in the media

Question 6

Political Hack

Answer 6

A person who is involved in politics, often seen as biased or corrupt

Question 7

Facetime

Answer 7

Direct, in-person interaction or visibility with people, especially with political leaders or the public

Question 8

Rank and File

Answer 8

The ordinary members of an organization or the general membership, not the leaders

Question 9

“Card Carrying”

Answer 9

A phrase used to describe someone who is an official and active member of an organization or movement

Question 10

Dyed-in-the-Wool

Answer 10

Refers to someone who is firmly established in their beliefs, often used to describe someone with strong, unwavering political opinions

Question 11

Closing Ranks

Answer 11

The act of uniting in support of a common cause or in defense of a position, often after a controversy

Question 12

Bleeding Hearts

Answer 12

A term often used derogatorily to describe people who are considered overly sympathetic or liberal, particularly social issues

Question 13

Big Tent

Answer 13

Refers to a political party or movement that seeks to attract a wide range of members with differing viewpoints

Question 14

Backbencher

Answer 14

A member of a legislative body who does not hold a leadership position and is often less influential

Question 15

Power Base/”The Base”

Answer 15

The core supporters or main constituency of a political party or leader

Question 16

Split Ticket

Answer 16

When a voter chooses candidates from different political parties for different offices in the same election

Question 17

The Amen Corner

Answer 17

A group of supporters or followers who uncritically endorse the views or decisions of a leader

Question 18

Balanced Ticket

Answer 18

Selecting a state of candidates that reflects diversity in geography, ideology, demographics to appeal to a wider electorate

Question 18

Ballot Stuffing

Answer 18

Illegally adding extra votes to an election, often to alter the outcome

Question 19

Waffle

Answer 19

To speak or write in a vague or indecisive manner, often used to describe politicians who avoid taking a clear stance

Question 20

Mudslinging

Answer 20

The use of insults or accusations, especially unjust ones, with the aim of damaging the reputation of the opponent

Question 21

Weasel Words

Answer 21

Words or statements that are intentionally ambiguous or misleading, often used to avoid making a direct or clear commitment

Question 22

Pressing the Flesh

Answer 22

The act of shaking hands and mingling with people, particularly by politicians during campaigns

Question 23

Dark Horse

Answer 23

A candidate or competitor who is not well known but unexpectedly emerges as a strong contender

Question 24

Stalking Horse

Answer 24

A candidate to put forward to divide the opposition or to test the waters for another candidate

Question 25

Brokered Convention

Answer 25

A situation where no single candidate secures a majority of delegates, leading to additional rounds of voting or negotiations at a political convention

Question 26

Political Spin/"Spinning"

Answer 26

The act of presenting information or events in a way that favors a particular perspective, often used by politicians and public relations professionals

Question 27

Shoo-In

Answer 27

A candidate or competitor who is expected to win easily

Question 28

Slate

Answer 28

A list of candidates or a group of people running for election as a team

Question 29

Stump Speech/On The Stump

Answer 29

A standard speech used by a politician during a campaign, often delivered multiple times in different locations

Question 30

Coattails

Answer 30

The influence or advantage gained by candidates running on the same ticket as a more popular candidate, often resulting in electoral success for those down the ballot

Question 31

Gaffe

Answer 31

A blunder or mistake, especially one made by a politician that attracts public attention

Question 32

Boondoggle

Answer 32

A project or activity that is considered wasteful or pointless, often funded by the government

Question 33

Red Tape

Answer 33

Excessive bureaucracy or adherence to formal rules that result in delays or efficiency

Question 34

Trial Balloon

Answer 34

A statement or action designed to gauge public reaction before a final decision is made

Question 35

"The Hill"

Answer 35

A reference to Capitol Hill in Washington D.C., where the U.S Congress meet up

Question 36

Guns or Butter

Answer 36

A phrase used to describe the trade-off between a nations investment in defense and civilian goods

Question 37

Demagogue

Answer 37

A political leader who seeks support by appealing to popular desires and prejudices rather than by using rational agreement

Question 38

Entitlement

Answer 38

Government programs that provide benefits to individuals based on established rights or legislation, such as Social Security or Medicare

Question 39

Dead Cat Bounce

Answer 39

A temporary recovery in the price of a declining stock or economy, often seen as short-lived before continuing downward

Question 40

Left/Right Wing

Answer 40

Refers to the political spectrum, with the left generally supporting progressive or liberal policies, and the right advocating conservative or traditional policies

Question 41

Race-Horse Journalism

Answer 41

Media coverage that focuses on the competition between candidates rather than on policy issues

Question 42

Partisan

Answer 42

A strong supporter of a political party or cause, often showing bias in favor of it

Question 43

RINO

Answer 43

"Republican in Name Only", a derogatory term used by some conservatives to describe Republicans that believe are not sufficiently conservative

Question 44

Bellwether State

Answer 44

A state that is seen as an indicator of how the rest of the country will vote in an election

Question 45

Battleground State/Swing State

Answer 45

A state where both major political parties have a strong chance of winning in an election

Question 46

Wedge Issue

Answer 46

A divisive political issue that is used to split or create divisions into within a group

Question 47

Drinking the Kool-Aid

Answer 47

Blindly following a leader or ideology, often to one's detriment

Question 48

Tree Hugger

Answer 48

A term often used to describe environmental activists or people who strongly support environmental causes

Question 49

Dog Whistle

Answer 49

A coded message communicated to a particular group while appearing as unimportant to others