Where everything is bipartisan until it is not.
A journalist tasked with controlling candidates who won't follow rules, resulting in moderators being blamed for candidates' rudeness by that candidate's supporters.
A legislative proposal substantial enough to warrant a presidential veto (as opposed to the trivial nonsense Congress passes daily).
An acronym meaning 'Vice President I'd Like to Facebook,' a sanitized and social-media-appropriate variant of a more explicit phrase that emerged during Sarah Palin's 2008 VP run. It's political attraction repackaged for the Web 2.0 era. Because nothing says democracy like turning politicians into memes.
Legislation requiring government meetings and records to be open to public scrutiny, because apparently politicians need to be legally forced to do their jobs in daylight. A radical concept that government should actually be visible to the governed.
The phenomenon where different members of a political party take turns opposing their own party's agenda, providing cover for the rest while killing legislation. A cynical theory that someone always volunteers to be the bad guy so everyone else can fundraise off wanting to help.
The moment when a politician asks voters to give them another term because surely this time they'll deliver on all those promises. It's democracy's sequel, where incumbents leverage name recognition and fundraising advantages while challengers cry 'time for change!' Success depends on whether constituents believe 'better the devil you know' or 'fool me once, shame on you.'
The underdog who dares to face off against the current champion or incumbent, armed with optimism, ambition, and usually less money. In politics and sports alike, challengers are the ones trying to dethrone the establishment, often by promising everything short of world peace. They're betting their reputation on the belief that people are ready for change—or at least tired of the current titleholder.
Political matters that directly affect voters' personal finances—jobs, taxes, healthcare costs. The issues that actually determine elections, despite what pundits discuss on cable news.
A candidate receiving their home state's support in a nomination contest, often as a placeholder or bargaining chip rather than serious contender. Regional pride meets political chess.
An official ban on something people definitely still want to do, proving that making things illegal just makes them more expensive and exciting. It's the formal act of forbidding specific activities or substances, most famously applied to alcohol in the 1920s with predictably chaotic results. The government's way of saying 'trust us, we know what's best for you.'
More than half of a group, or the magic threshold that makes things official in democratic decision-making. It's the winning side in votes, elections, and arguments at scale, proving that 51% of people agreeing makes something right (or at least legally binding). Also, the age when you become a legal adult and realize nobody actually knows what they're doing.
The phenomenon where incumbents gradually lose power due to retirement, scandal, or death—the only thing that consistently reduces their overwhelming advantages.
The portion of the budget Congress actually votes on every year (defense, education, infrastructure), as opposed to mandatory spending that just happens automatically.
A simultaneous volley of cannon fire from one side of a warship designed to obliterate enemies; by extension, any aggressive attack delivered all at once. Modern usage: a scathing written or verbal assault that hits you with everything at once.
The political gymnastics of trying to pander to two completely incompatible voter bases simultaneously without anyone noticing you're talking out of both sides of your mouth. It's having your cake, eating it too, and claiming you never liked cake anyway.
Legislation introduced with no expectation of passage, designed purely to stake out political positions and create campaign talking points. Theater masquerading as governance, where the press release matters more than the policy.
A familial reference to George Bush Sr., used primarily during his son's presidency to distinguish between the two Bush administrations. Because nothing says 'political dynasty' quite like needing to specify which Bush you're talking about.
An authoritative decree issued by someone in power, essentially the governmental equivalent of 'because I said so.' It's how rulers, judges, and executives make things happen through sheer institutional authority rather than through democratic debate. The term sounds fancy, but it's just Latin for 'let it be done.'
To tour rural areas making political speeches, traditionally in barns or small venues, pressing the flesh with voters who don't see candidates often. Old-fashioned retail politics without the retail.
When the government spends more money than it has, requiring borrowing. A bipartisan favorite that both parties pretend to oppose while voting for it constantly.
Bad government that creates chaos and lawlessness—essentially what happens when someone's 'leadership philosophy' is 'see how much I can break before anyone notices.'
Either the process of making uranium weapons-grade (definitely jargon in nuclear policy circles) or adding sugar to grape juice to make better wine. Somehow both sound equally technical and vaguely sinister depending on context.
The fancy term for 'the person (or branch) who actually makes things happen,' as opposed to bureaucrats who debate whether things should happen. In government, it's the branch that enforces laws; in business, it's whoever gets blamed when projections miss.
The designated talking head for an organization—usually carefully coached to say nothing meaningful while sounding authoritative and concerned.