the dividing of a state, county, etc., into election districts so as to give one political party a majority in many districts while concentrating the voting strength of the other party into as few districts as possible.
mugwump
a person who is unable to make up his or her mind on an issue, especially in politics; a person who is neutral on a controversial issue.
jawboning
to attempt to influence or pressure by persuasion rather than by the exertion of force or one's authority, as in urging voluntary compliance with economic guidelines.
carpetbagger
an opportunistic or exploitive outsider.
scalawag
a scamp; rascal.
straw man
a fabricated or conveniently weak or innocuous person, object, matter, etc., used as a seeming adversary or argument.
bunkum
insincere speechmaking by a politician intended merely to please local constituents.
jingo
a person who professes his or her patriotism loudly and excessively, favoring vigilant preparedness for war and an aggressive foreign policy.
ward heeler
a minor politician who canvasses voters and does other chores for a political machine or party boss.
teetotaler
a person who abstains totally from intoxicating drink.
boodle
a bribe or other illicit payment, especially to or from a politician; graft.
crawfish
to back out or retreat from a position or undertaking.
Jayhawker
a plundering marauder, especially one of the antislavery guerrillas in Kansas, Missouri, and other border states before and during the Civil War.
mossback
a person holding very antiquated notions; reactionary.
log rolling
the exchange of support or favors, especially by legislators for mutual political gain as by voting for each other's bills.
pork barrel
a government appropriation, bill, or policy that supplies funds for local improvements designed to ingratiate legislators with their constituents.
plug ugly
a ruffian; rowdy; tough.
roorback
a false and more or less damaging report circulated for political effect, usually about a candidate seeking an office.
gerrymander
the dividing of a state, county, etc., into election districts so as to give one political party a majority in many districts while concentrating the voting strength of the other party into as few districts as possible.
mugwump
a person who is unable to make up his or her mind on an issue, especially in politics; a person who is neutral on a controversial issue.
jawboning
to attempt to influence or pressure by persuasion rather than by the exertion of force or one's authority, as in urging voluntary compliance with economic guidelines.
carpetbagger
an opportunistic or exploitive outsider.
scalawag
a scamp; rascal.
straw man
a fabricated or conveniently weak or innocuous person, object, matter, etc., used as a seeming adversary or argument.
bunkum
insincere speechmaking by a politician intended merely to please local constituents.
jingo
a person who professes his or her patriotism loudly and excessively, favoring vigilant preparedness for war and an aggressive foreign policy.
ward heeler
a minor politician who canvasses voters and does other chores for a political machine or party boss.
teetotaler
a person who abstains totally from intoxicating drink.
boodle
a bribe or other illicit payment, especially to or from a politician; graft.
crawfish
to back out or retreat from a position or undertaking.
Jayhawker
a plundering marauder, especially one of the antislavery guerrillas in Kansas, Missouri, and other border states before and during the Civil War.
mossback
a person holding very antiquated notions; reactionary.
log rolling
the exchange of support or favors, especially by legislators for mutual political gain as by voting for each other's bills.
pork barrel
a government appropriation, bill, or policy that supplies funds for local improvements designed to ingratiate legislators with their constituents.
plug ugly
a ruffian; rowdy; tough.
roorback
a false and more or less damaging report circulated for political effect, usually about a candidate seeking an office.
Flash Cards
