primaries

Definition

The preliminary elections where political party members select their candidate for the general election, essentially a brutal pre-game tournament before the actual championship. These democratic bloodbaths force candidates to campaign extensively, spend ridiculous amounts of money, and occasionally say things they'll later regret when trying to appeal to the broader electorate. It's democracy's way of making sure politicians are thoroughly exhausted before they even get to the real race.

Example Usage

After losing three consecutive primaries, the candidate dropped out and endorsed his former rival, proving that politics makes for strange bedfellows.

Source: Electoral and political terminology

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pb&j

peanut butter and jelly...