Term Definition

Absentee BallotAn absentee ballot is a vote cast by someone who is unable or unwilling to attend the official polling station or to which the voter is normally allocated. Numerous methods have been devised to facilitate this.

Absentee VotingAn electoral process that enables persons who cannot appear at their designated polling places to vote from another location. The usual method of absentee voting is by mail, although provision is sometimes made for voting at prescribed places in advance of the polling date. Absentee voting requires special administrative arrangements to ensure the secrecy and legitimacy of the ballots cast.

AgendaAn agenda is a list of meeting activities in the order in which they are to be taken up, by beginning with the call to order and ending with adjournment. It usually includes one or more specific items of business to be discussed. It may, but is not required to, include specific times for one or more activities. An agenda may also be called a docket or schedule.

AmendmentAn amendment is a formal or official change made to a law, contract, constitution, or other legal document. It is based on the verb to amend, which means to change. Amendments can add, remove, or update parts of these agreements. They are often used when it is better to change the document than to write a new one.

American Independence PartyFar Right Political party of the United States, nominated George Wallace for president in 1968, who gained 5 state ballots, split into 2 parties, the American Party, and the modern American Independence Party

Amnestyincludes more than pardon, in as much as it obliterates all legal remembrance of the offense. Amnesty is more and more used to express "freedom" and the time when prisoners can go free.

Anti-Federalisthistorical opponent of U.S. Constitution when it was being ratified by the United States

Apathylack of feeling, emotion, interest, or concern. Apathy is a state of indifference, or the suppression of emotions such as concern, excitement, motivation, and/or passion. An apathetic individual has an absence of interest in or concern about emotional, social, spiritual, philosophical and/or physical life and the world.

Appointment PowerA power of appointment is a term most frequently used in the law of wills to describe the ability of the testator (the person writing the will) to select a person who will be given the authority to dispose of certain property under the will. Although any person can exercise this power at any time during their life, its use is rare outside of a will.

Appropriationsthe action of taking something for one's own use, typically without the owner's permission

AssassinationAssassination is the murder of a prominent person or political figure by a surprise attack, usually for payment or political reasons.

Australian BallotKnown as Secret Ballot, The secret ballot is a voting method in which a voter's choices in an election or a referendum are anonymous, forestalling attempts to influence the voter by intimidation or bribery. The system is one means of achieving the goal of political privacy.

Balanced Budget Act of 1997omnibus legislative package enacted using the budget reconciliation process and designed to balance the federal budget by 2002

Bellwetherone that leads or indicates trendsOhio

Bill of RightsFirst 10 amendments of the Constitution

Binding Referenduma direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to vote on a particular proposal. This may result in the adoption of a new constitution, a constitutional amendment, or a law.

BipartisanBipartisanship is a political situation, usually in the context of a two-party system, in which opposing political parties find common ground through compromise, in theory. This is in contrast to partisanship, where an individual or political party only adheres to their interests without compromise.

Bi Partisan Campaign Reform Acta United States federal law that amended the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, which regulates the financing of political campaigns.

Blue Statea US state that predominantly votes for or supports the Democratic Party.

Bull Moose PartyAnother Term for the progressive party

Bureaucracy"a body of non-elective government officials" and/or "an administrative policy-making group". Historically, bureaucracy referred to government administration managed by departments staffed with nonelected officials. In modern parlance, bureaucracy refers to the administrative system governing any large institution.

Bureaucrata member of a bureaucracy and can compose the administration of any organization of any size, though the term usually connotes someone within an institution of government. Bureaucrat jobs were often "desk jobs , though the modern bureaucrat may be found "in the field" as well as in an office.

Cabineta body of advisers to the president, composed of the heads of the executive departments of the government

Candidateone that aspires to or is nominated or qualified for an office, membership, or award

Candidate-centered politicselection campaigns and other political processes in which candidates, not political parties, have most of the initiative and influence

Campaign Finance Reformthe political effort in the United States to change the involvement of money in politics, primarily in political campaigns.

Capital Gainsa profit that results from a disposition of a capital asset, such as stock, bond or real estate, where the amount realized on the disposition exceeds the purchase price. The gain is the difference between a higher selling price and a lower purchase price. Conversely, a capital loss arises if the proceeds from the sale of a capital asset are less than the purchase price

Caucusa meeting of supporters or members of a specific political party or movement. The term originated in the United States, but has spread to Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and Nepal. As the use of the term has been expanded, the exact definition has come to vary among political cultures.

ChadFragments sometimes created whenholesare made in a paper, card or similar synthetic materials, such as computerpunched tapeorpunched cards. Used in 2000 in Florida Votes.

Checks and BalancesLimits imposed on all branches of a government by vesting in each branch the right to amend or void those acts of another that fall within its purview

Chief AdministratorA chief administrative officer (CAO) is responsible for administrative management of private, public or governmental corporations

Chief Diplomata person appointed by a national government to conduct official negotiations and maintain political, economic, and social relations with another country or countries.

Chief Executivethe highest-ranking member of an executive body

Chief Legislatorthe President, who gives information to Congress to consider through the State of the Union address and recommendations for consideration of new statutes, and who signs or vetoes legislation.

Chief of Staffthe senior staff officer of a service or command

Chief of Statethe titular head of a nation as distinct from the head of the government

Citizena legally recognized subject or national of a state or commonwealth, either native or naturalized

Clemency PowerPardon Power of President to "grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment."

Coattail effectthe tendency for a popular political party leader to attract votes for other candidates of the same party in an election. For example, in the United States, the party of a victorious presidential candidate will often win many seats in Congress as well; these congressmen are voted into office on the coattails of the president.

Commutationaction or the process of commuting a judicial sentence

Commander in Chiefthe person or body that exercises supreme operational command and control of a nation's military forces or significant elements of those forces. In the latter case, the force element is those forces within a particular region, or associated by function.

Conservativea political and social philosophy promotes retaining traditional social institutions in the context of the culture and civilization

Constituencya body of voters in a specified area who elect a representative to a legislative body

Constitutiona body of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is acknowledged to be governed

Constitutional democracya system of government based on popular sovereignty in which the structures, powers, and limits of government are set forth in a constitution

Constitutional GovernmentA Government classified by the existence of a constitution, which is a body of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is acknowledged to be governed

Constitutional PowersAlso known as Enumerated powers, a list of items found in ArticleI, Section8 of the U.S. Constitution that set forth the authoritative capacity of Congress.[

Conventionan agreement between countries covering particular matters, especially one less formal than a treaty

Conventional ParticipationVoting for a bill in a convention

Convention DelegateMember of a delegation who attends a convention for a purpose

Corrupt Practices ActA United States law passed in 1977, which prohibits U.S. firms and individuals from paying bribes to foreign officials in furtherance of a business deal and against the foreign official's duties.

Council of Economic AdvisorsCEA' A panel of three noted economists who advise the president of the United States on macroeconomic matters. Thecouncilconsists of a chairman and two other members, all of whom are appointed by the president and approved by the Senate.

Credentials Committeeacommittee(as at a national party convention) for examining thecredentialsof delegates and deciding upon contested claims to represent certain groups of the membership.

Credit Mobilizer Scandal (1872)1. TheCrdit Mobilier scandalof 1872 involved the Union Pacific Railroad and theCrdit Mobilierof America construction company in the building of the eastern portion of the First Transcontinental Railroad.

Critical ElectionTerms from political science and political history describing a dramatic change in the political system. Scholars frequently apply the term to Americanelectionsand occasionally to other countries.

Dark Horse Candidate An unexpected winner. In politics, adark horse is acandidatefor office considered unlikely to receive his or her party's nomination, but who might be nominated if party leaders cannot agree on a bettercandidate.

DemocracyA system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives

Constitutional DemocracyA system of government based on popular sovereignty in which the structures, powers, and limits of a government are set forward in a constitution

Direct DemocracyA form of democracyin which people decide (e.g. vote on, form consensus on) policy initiatives directly.

Representative DemocracyA variety of democracyfounded on the principle of elected officials representing a group of people, as opposed to directdemocracy.

Democratic partyOne of the two major contemporary political partiesin the United States, along with the younger RepublicanParty. Tracing its origins back to theDemocratic-RepublicanParty, the modernDemocratic Partywas founded around 1828.

Democratic Republican PartyThe name used primarily by modern political scientists for the first "Republican Party" (as it called itself at the time), also known as the JeffersonianRepublicans.

DemographicsStatistical data relating to the population and particular groups within it

DiplomacyThe profession, activity, or skill of managing international relations, typically by a country's representatives abroad

Diplomatic Powers (President)The President has the power to maketreatieswith other nations. Often these treaties are worked out through the Secretary of State. These treaties must be approved by a 2/3 vote in the Senate

DisenfranchiseTo deprive (someone) of a right or privilege.

Divided GovernmentA situation in which one party controls the White House and another party controls one or both houses of the United States Congress, thus leading to Congressional gridlock.

ElectorA person who has the right to vote in an election.

Electoral CollegeA body of people representing the states of the US, who formally cast votes for the election of the president and vice president.

Elitea select part of a group that is superior to the rest in terms of ability or qualities.

Emergency powersPowergranted to or used or taken by a public authority to meet the exigencies of a particular emergency(as of war or disaster) whether within or outside a constitutional frame of reference.

Ethnocentrism1. Evaluation of other cultures according to preconceptions originating in the standards and customs of one's own culture.

Executive Agreement1. An international agreement, usually regarding routine administrative matters not warranting a formal treaty, made by the executive branch of the US government without ratification by the Senate.

Executive order1. A rule or order issued by the president to an executive branch of the government and having the force of law.

Executive privilege1. The privilege, claimed by the president for the executive branch of the US government, of withholding information in the public interest.

Exit PollA poll taken of a small percentage of voters as they leave the polls, used to forecast the outcome of an election or determine the voting reasons

FactionA group within another group, party or government

Fair DealAn ambitious set of proposals put forward by U.S. President Harry S. Truman to Congress in his January 1949 State of the Union address

Favorite SonA famous man who is particularly popular and praised for his achievements in his native area.

Federal Election CommissionAn independent regulatory agency that was founded in 1975 by the United States Congress to regulate the campaign finance legislation in the United States. It was created in a provision of the 1975 amendment to theFederal Election Campaign Act.

FederalistAn advocate or supporter of federalism.

First BallotA device used to cast votes in an election, and may be a piece of paper or a small ball used in secret voting. It was originally a small ball (see blackballing) used to record decisions made by voters.

First ladyThe wife of the president of the US or other head of state.

Flip FlopMake an abrupt reversal of policy.

Fourth EstateThe press; the profession of journalism.

FranchiseAn authorization granted by a government or company to an individual or group enabling them to carry out specified commercial activities, e.g., providing a broadcasting service or acting as an agent for a company's products.

Fundamentalists1 - A conservative movement in theology among nineteenth- and twentieth-century Christians.Fundamentalists believe that the statements in the Bible are literally true.2 - A movement or attitude stressing strict and literal adherence to a set of basic principles

Gender Gap1. The discrepancy in opportunities, status, attitudes, etc., between men and women.

General ElectionA regular election of candidates for office, as opposed to a primary election.

GerrymanderingManipulate the boundaries of (an electoral constituency) so as to favor one party or class.

GOP (Republican Party)A politicalpartythat began in 1854 and is today one of the two major politicalpartiesin the United States. Originally, it was composed mainly of northerners from both major partiesof the time, the Democrats and the Whigs, with some former Know-Nothings as well.

Green PartyFormally organized politicalpartybased on the principles ofgreenpolitics, such as social justice and nonviolence. Greens believe that these issues are inherently related to one another as a foundation for world peace.

Greenback Party (known successively as the IndependentParty, the National IndependentParty, and theGreenbackLaborParty)An American politicalpartywith an anti-monopoly ideology which was active between 1874 and 1889.

GridlockA situation when there is difficulty of passing laws in alegislaturebecause the votes for and against a proposed law are evenly divided, or in which two legislative houses, or the executive branch and the legislature are controlled by different political parties, or otherwise cannot agree.

Domestic Product1. The total value of goods produced and services provided in a country during one year.2. Individual3. Company4. Government5. Foreign

Hard MoneyA specific type of asset-based loan financing through which a borrower receives funds secured by the value of a parcel of real estate.Hard moneyloans are typically issued by private investors or companies.

Hitch Act (1939) An Act to Prevent Pernicious Political Activities

AUnited Statesfederallaw whose main provision prohibitsemployeesin the executive branch of the federal government, except the president, vice-president, and certain designated high-level officials of that branch, from engaging in partisan political activity. The law was named forSenatorCarl Hatchof New Mexico.

Honeymoon EffectA brief period of apparent agreement, as betweenpoliticalparties after an election.

High Crimes and MisdemeanorsCovers allegations of misconduct peculiar to officials, such as perjury of oath, abuse of authority, bribery, intimidation, misuse of assets, failure to supervise, dereliction of duty, conduct unbecoming, and refusal to obey a lawful order.

ImpeachmentA formal process in which an official is accused of unlawful activity, the outcome of which, depending on the country, may include the removal of that official from office as well as criminal or civil punishment.

Imperial presidencyA U.S.presidencythat is characterized by greater power than the Constitution allows.

ImpoundmentThe decision of a President of the United States not to spend money appropriated by Congress

InaugurationThe beginning or introduction of a system, policy, or period.

IncumbentCurrently holding office

Independent AgencyAgenciesthat exist outside of the federal executive departments (those headed by a Cabinet secretary).

Independent Regulatory CommissionConsidered part of the executive government, commissions must be independent from political influence

Independent VoterA voter who does not align him or herself with a political party. An independent is variously defined as avoterwho votes for candidates and issues rather than on the basis of apolitical ideologyorpartisanship

InitiativeA means by which apetitionsigned by a certain minimum number ofregistered voterscan force a public vote (plebiscite)

Interest GroupAny association of individuals or organizations, usually formally organized, that, on the basis of one or more shared concerns, attempts to influence publicpolicy in its favour. Allinterestgroups share a desire to affect governmentpolicy to benefit themselves or their causes. Their goal could be a policy that exclusively benefits group members or one segment ofsociety(e.g., government subsidies for farmers) or a policy that advances a broader public purpose (e.g., improving air quality).

Iowa CaucasAn electoral event in which residents of the U.S. state ofIowameet in precinctcaucusesin all ofIowa's1,774 precincts and elect delegates to the corresponding county conventions. Considered important because Iowa was the first state to show support for canidates

Judicial PowersConstitutionalauthorityvestedincourtsandjudgesto hear and decidejusticiablecases, and to interpret, andenforceorvoid,statuteswhendisputesarise over theirscopeor constitutionality.

Kitchen Cabinet1. A group of unofficial advisers to the holder of an elected office who are considered to be unduly influential.

Know nothing Party (American Party)U.S. politicalparty that flourished in the 1850s. TheKnow-Nothing partywas an outgrowth of the strong anti-immigrant and especially anti-Roman Catholic sentiment that started to manifest itself during the 1840s.

Laissez-Faire Economics (Let it be economics)Aneconomictheory from the 18th century that is strongly opposed to any government intervention in business affairs.

Lame DuckAn official (especially the president) in the final period of office, after the election of a successor.

Left WingThe liberal, socialist, or radical section of a political party or system.

Legislative PowersMaking and enacting laws

LiberalA broad political ideology that emphasizes liberty and equality. While liberalism encompasses a diverse range of views, common liberal ideas place value on constitutions, democracy, free and fair elections, human rights, capitalism, free trade, and the separation of church and state. In the 19th and 20th centuries, liberalism contributed to the elimination of slavery, the replacement of monarchies with constitutional governments, and the establishment of international organizations such as the United Nations

Line Item Veto1. The power of a president, governor, or other elected executive to reject individual provisions of a bill.

Litmus TestA question asked of a potential candidate for high office, the answer to which would determine whether the nominating official would proceed with the appointment or nomination.

LobbyTotrytoinfluencepublicofficialsonbehalfoforagainstproposed legislation

LobbyingTo influence officials on a piece of legislation

LobbyistA person who lobbies on behalf of a bill or piece of legislation

Mainstream News MediaMedia disseminated via the largest distribution channels, which therefore represent what the majority of media consumers are likely to encounter

Majority Rule1. The principle that the greater number should exercise greater power.

MandateAn official order or commission to do something

Margin of ErrorAn amount (usually small) that is allowed for in case of miscalculation or change of circumstances.

Mass MediaNewspapers, motion pictures, radio, television, and magazines, all of which have the technical capacity to deliver information to millions of people.

Media BiasThebiasor perceivedbiasof journalists and news producers within the massmediain the selection of events and stories that are reported and how they are covered.

Media ConsolidationA process whereby progressively fewer individuals or organizations control increasing shares of the massmedia.

Merit SystemThe process of promoting and hiring government employees based on their ability to perform a job, rather than on their political connections.

Middle of the roadAvoiding extremes; moderate.

Mid-term ElectionGeneralelectionsin the United States that are held two years after the quadrennial (four-year)electionsfor the President of the United States

Minor PartyA politicalpartythat plays a smaller (in some cases much smaller) role than a majorpartyin a country's politics and elections.

ModerateAn individual who is not extreme, partisan, nor radical.

Moral MajorityA political action group formed in the 1970s to further a conservative and religious agenda, including the allowance of prayer in schools and strict laws against abortion.

MudslingingThe use of insults and accusations, especially unjust ones, with the aim of damaging the reputation of an opponent.

Name RecognitionThe number of people who are aware of a politician. It is considered an important factor in elections, as candidates with lowname recognitionare unlikely to receive votes from people who only casually follow politics.

National Convention1. A convention of a major political party, especially one that nominates a candidate for the presidency.

National Security CouncilThe President's principal forum for consideringnational securityand foreign policy matters with his seniornational securityadvisors and cabinet officials.

Natural RightsRightsthat people supposedly have undernaturallaw. The Declaration of Independence of the United States lists life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness asnatural rights.

New DealA group of government programs and policies established under President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1930s; theNew Dealwas designed to improve conditions for persons suffering in the Great Depression.

New Hampshire PrimaryThe first in a series of nationwide partyprimary electionsheld in the United States every four years as part of the process of choosing the delegates to theDemocraticandRepublicannational conventions which choose the party nominees for thepresidential electionsto be held the subsequent November.

News MediaA 21stCentury catchall term used todefineall that is related to the internet and the interplay between technology, images and sound. In fact, thedefinitionofnew mediachanges daily, and will continue to do so.New mediaevolves and morphs continuously.

Non-Binding ReferendumA question that is included on a ballot during a town-wide vote.Voters are asked to answer the referendum, but the results are nonbinding.

Non-Governmental organizationAnynon-profit, voluntary citizens' group which isorganizedon a local, national or international level.

Non-PartisanNot biased or partisan, especially toward any particular political group.

Non-Partisan ElectionAn election that does not permit party labels to appear on the ballot. In a party primary, you must tell yourelectionjudge which party's ballot you wish to take into the voting booth. You will receive a ballot formatted so that you may only select candidates from that party.

OathA solemn promise, often invoking a divine witness, regarding one's future action or behavior.

Objective ReportingReporting of information that reviews many points of view

Off-Year electionGeneralelectionsin the United States that are held in odd-numbered years. Theseelectionsrarely feature any electionto a federal office, few state legislativeelections, and very few gubernatorialelections.

Office of Management and BudgetThe largestoffice within the ExecutiveOfficeof the President of the United States (EOP). The Director of theOMBis a member of the executiveofficeof the president.

OversightOversight by theUnited States Congresson theExecutive Branch, including the numerousU.S. federal agencies. Congressional oversight refers to the review, monitoring, and supervision of federal agencies, programs, activities, and policy implementation.

Partisan PoliticsA committed member of apoliticalparty. In multi-party systems, the term is used forpoliticianswho strongly support their party's policies and are reluctant to compromise with their politicalopponents.

Party ActivistSomeone who is aligned with a political, economic, or social party and who promotes that party's principles through a variety of means. Party activists can be passive, reflecting their views in subtle ways that may go virtually unnoticed or active, communicating their views outwardly through speech, video, actions, etc.

Party ChiefA leader in a political party who controls votes and dictates appointments;

Party ParticipationThe Mediation Process is the crux of the process. Whenpartiesagree to a mediation process, they then have the power vested in them to arrive at a mutually acceptable solution to the dispute. The mediator has power over the process, but not the outcome.

Patronage (Spoils System)Appointing persons to government positions based on the basis of political support and work rather than merit, as measured by objective criteria

Photo OpsAn arranged opportunity to take a photograph of apolitician, a celebrity, or a notable event.

PlatformA list of the values and actions which are supported by apoliticalparty or individual candidate, in order to appeal to the general public, for the ultimate purpose of garnering the general public's support and votes about complicated topics or issues.

Plausible DeniabilityA term coined by the CIA in the early 1960s to describe the withholding of information from senior officials in order to protect them from repercussions in the event that illegal or unpopular activities by the CIA became public knowledge.

PluralismThe recognition and affirmation of diversity within a political body, which permits the peaceful coexistence of different interests, convictions and lifestyles. Political pluralists are not inherentlyliberals(who place liberty and/or equality as their guiding principles) orconservatives(who place order and/or tradition as their guiding principles) but advocate a form of politicalmoderation.

Pocket Veto1. An indirect veto of a legislative bill by the president or a governor by retaining the bill unsigned until it is too late for it to be dealt with during the legislative session.

Political Action CommitteeAn organization that raises money privately to influence elections or legislation, especially at the federal level.

Political BiasOne-sided, lacking a neutral viewpoint, not having an open mind

Political CapitalThe trust, goodwill, and influence a politician has with the public and otherpoliticalfigures. This goodwill is a type of invisible currency thatpoliticianscan use to mobilize the voting public or spend on policy reform.

Political CultureThe product of both the collective history of apoliticalsystem and the life histories of the members of the system and thus it is rooted equally in public events and private experience".

Political PartyAn organization of people which seeks to achieve goals common to its members through the acquisition and exercise of politicalpower.

New Deal CoalitionThe alignment of interest groups and voting blocs that supported theNew Dealand voted for Democratic presidential candidates from 1932 until the late 1960s.Labor UnionsMinoritiesSouthernersCity MachinesIntellectualsCatholics and Jews

Pendleton ActA federal law established in 1883 that stipulated that government jobs should be awarded on the basis of merit.

Political SpectrumA concept for representing differentpolitical stances in relation to one another. At its most basic, thepolitical spectrumconsists of a line or continuum from left to right, with varying shades of opinion in between.

PoliticsThe activities associated with the governance of a country or other area, especially the debate or conflict among individuals or parties having or hoping to achieve power.

Political PredispositionPolitical Opinion before outside campaigning affects opinions

Political SocializationA lifelong process by which people form their ideas aboutpoliticsand acquirepoliticalvalues. The family, educational system, peer groups, and the mass media all play a role.

Poll Tax1. A tax levied on every adult, without reference to income or resources.

PollingA sampling or collection of opinions on a subject, taken from either a selected or a random group of persons, as for the purpose of analysis

Pollster1. A person who conducts or analyzes opinion polls.

Popular ConsentConcept in which people should be able to participate directly in the governing of their own societies.

Popular SovereigntyThe principle that the authority of the government is created and sustained by the consent of its people, through their elected representatives (Rule by the People), who are the source of all political power.

PorkGovernment money spent in a particular area in order to get political advantages - used to show disapproval

Pork Barrel projectsThe appropriation of government spending for localized projectssecured solely or primarily to bring money to a representative's district.

PotusPresident of the United States

Constitutional powers1. Powersof the United States Congress are set forth by the United States Constitution,definedby rulings of the Supreme Court, and by its own efforts and by other factors such as history and custom. It is the chief legislative body of the United States.

Delegated PowersTodelegatemeans to specifically assign, in this casedelegated powersare thosepowers specifically assigned to the Federal Government.

Inherent PowersPowersheld by a sovereign state.

President of the SenatePresiding officer over the Senate

President Pro Tempore of the SenateThe most senior senator in the majority party has generally been chosen to bepresident pro tempore; this tradition has been observed without interruption since 1949. During the VicePresident's absence, thepresident pro temporeis empowered to preside over Senatesessions.

Presidential CoattailsThe ability of aPresidential candidate to bring out supporters who then vote for his party's candidates for other offices.

Presidential PardonThepardonpower for federal crimes is granted to thePresidentof the United States under Article II, Section 2 of the United States Constitution which states that thePresident"shall have power to grant reprieves andpardonsfor offenses against the United States

Presidential SuccessionOrder which defines who may become or act asPresidentof the United States upon the incapacity, death, resignation, or removal from office (by impeachment and subsequent conviction) of a sittingpresidentor apresident-elect.

Presidential TicketWhen a President and Vice President candidates run, they run on a ticket, because they are elected together rather than independently

Press SecretaryA senior White House official whose primary responsibility is to act as spokesperson for the United States government administration, especially with regard to the President, senior executives, and policies.

Press Conference1. An interview given to journalists by a prominent person in order to make an announcement or answer questions.

Primary ElectionA preliminary election to appoint delegates to a party conference or to select the candidates for a principal, especially presidential, election.

Closed PrimaryA type of directprimarylimited to registered party members, who must declare their party affiliation in order to vote. Theclosed primaryserves to encourage party unity and prevent members of other parties from infiltrating and voting to nominate weak candidates.

Direct PrimaryAn election in which voters choose candidates to run on a party's ticket in a subsequent election for public office.

Open Primary1. A primary election in which voters are not required to declare party affiliation.

Proportional Representation1. An electoral system in which parties gain seats in proportion to the number of votes cast for them.

Public Opinion1. Views prevalent among the general public.

Legal QualificationsA particular attribute or quality that an individual must have in order to be eligible to fill an office or perform a public duty or function

Unofficial QualificationsQualifications that are not in accord with prescribed regulations or forms

Quid Pro QuoA favor or advantage granted or expected in return for something.

Recess AppointmentTheappointment, by the President of the United States, of a senior federal official while the U.S. Senate is in recess.

Red State1. A US state that predominantly votes for or supports the Republican Party.

ReferendumA general vote by the electorate on a single political question that has been referred to them for a direct decision.

Rendezvous with DestinyTo have a specific task to do

RepublicA state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives, and which has an elected or nominated president rather than a monarch.

Rally Round the Flag EffectA concept used in political science and international relations to explain increased short-run popular support of the President of the United States during periods of international crisis or war.

Right WingThe conservative or reactionary section of a political party or system.

RINOA pejorative term used by conservative members of the Republican Party of the United States to describe Republicans whose political views or actions they consider insufficiently conservative.

Safe Seat1. A legislative seat that is likely to be retained with a large majority in an election.

Silent MajorityAn unspecified large majority of people in a country or group who do not express their opinions publicly. Used by Richard Nixon in his belief that the great body of Americans supported his policies and that those who demonstrated against the involvement of the United States in the Vietnam War amounted to only a noisy minority.

Single Issue Voter A political party that campaigns on only one issue. Such a party is rarely successful in gaining elected office. It is generally believed thatsingle-issueparties are favoured by voluntary votingsystems, as they tend to attract very committed supporters who will alwaysvote.

Single Member DistrictAn area is divided into a number of geographicallydefinedvotingdistricts, each represented by asingleelected official.

Smear CampaignA plan to discredit a public figure by making false or dubious accusations.

Soft Money1. A contribution to a political party that is not accounted as going to a particular candidate, thus avoiding various legal limitations.

Socio-economic StatusAn economic and sociological combined total measure of a person's work experience and of an individual's or family's economic and social position in relation to others, based on income, education, and occupation.

Sound BiteA very short part of a speech or statement, especially one made by a politician, that is broadcast on a radio or television news program

Special Interest1. A group of people or an organization seeking or receiving special advantages, typically through political lobbying.

Split TicketA vote for candidates of different political parties on the same ballot, instead of for candidates of only one party. In the presidential elections, for example, a voter may choose a Republican candidate for president, but a Democratic candidate for senator.

Spoils System1. The practice of a successful political party giving public office to its supporters.

Square DealA fair bargain or treatment.

State of the Union Address1. A yearly address delivered in January by the president of the US to Congress, giving the administration's view of the state of the nation and plans for legislation.

Stewardship TheorfyAtheorythat managers, left on their own, will indeed act as responsiblestewardsof the assets they control. This theoryis an alternative view of agencytheory, in which managers are assumed to act in their own self interests at the expense of shareholders.

Straight TicketA ballot on which all votes have been cast for candidates of the same party

SuffrageThe right to vote in political elections

Super Tuesday1. A day on which several US states hold primary elections.

Supply Side EconomicsTheory that holds that, by lowering taxes on corporations, government can stimulate investment in industry and thereby raise production, which will, in turn, bring down prices and control inflation.

Swing State1. 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.2. Florida and Ohio

Taft-Hartley Act1. Weakens Labor Unions

Talking points2. A topic that invites discussion or argument.

Teapot Dome ScandalA government scandal involving a former United States Navy oil reserve in Wyoming that was secretly leased to a private oil company in 1921; became symbolic of the scandals of the Harding administration

Third RailAny issue so controversial that it is "charged" and "untouchable"

Voter TurnoutThe percentage of eligiblevoterswho cast a ballot in an election. (Who is eligible varies by country, and should not be confused with the total adult population.

TreatyA formally concluded and ratified agreement between countries.

Trusteeship Theory

VetoA constitutional right to reject a decision or proposal made by a law-making body

Veto MessageThe power of a president or governor to reject a bill proposed by a legislature by refusing to sign it into law. The president or governor actually writes the wordveto(Latin for I forbid) on the bill and sends it back to the legislature with a statement of his or her objections.

Veto OverridePower of congress in which two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate mayoverridea Presidentialvetoof legislation.

Veep1. A vice president.

Voter TurnoutThe percentage of eligiblevoterswho cast a ballot in an election. (Who is eligible varies by country, and should not be confused with the total adult population

Voting BehaviorUnderstandingvoters' behaviorcan explain how and why decisions were made either by public decision-makers, which has been a central concern for political scientists, or by the electorate.

Voting Booth1. A compartment with one open side in which one voter at a time stands to mark their ballot.

Voting Machine1. A machine for the automatic registering of votes.

War Powers ActA US law passed in 1973 which allows Congress to limit the President's use of military forces. It states that the President must tell Congress within 48 hours if he sends armed forces anywhere, and Congress must give approval for them to stay there for more than 90 days.

WatergateA major politicalscandalthat occurred in the United States in the 1970s as a result of the June 17, 1972, break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters at theWatergate office complex in Washington, D.C., and the Nixon administration's attempted cover-up of its involvement.

Wet WingAgainst Prohibition

Whig PartyAn American politicalpartyformed in the 1830s to oppose President Andrew Jackson and the Democrats. Whigs stood for protective tariffs, national banking, and federal aid for internal improvements.

Whistle Blower1. A person who informs on a person or organization engaged in an illicit activity.

Winner Take AllProcess in which the candidate who wins the most votes winsallthe delegates at stake

Writ of CertiorariA decision by the Supreme Court to hear an appeal from a lower court

Writ of mandamusAn order from a court to an inferior government official ordering the government official to properly fulfill their official duties or correct an abuse of discretion.

Yellow Dog DemocratA political term applied to voters in the Southern United States who voted solely for candidates who represented theDemocraticParty

Yellow JournalismJournalism that is based upon sensationalism and crude exaggeration.