Slide 1

Party Machine A highly organized political group under the leadership of a boss or a small clique Slide 2 Gender Gap A disparity in a candidates popularity, between male and female voters Slide 3 Constituency The residents of an electoral district who are entitled to elect a candidate to represent them in government Slide 4 Primary Process of selecting a partys nominee Slide 5 Ticket A group of two or more candidates from the same political group who are running for office as a team Slide 6 Plank One item in the official position of a political party Slide 7 Partisan One who fiercely favors one party or the candidates of that party Slide 8 Mandate An electoral outcome in which the voters express clear and strong approval for the victorious partys program Slide 9 Dove Person who advocates peace as a national policy Slide 10 Hawk Person who advocates war or aggressive action Slide 11 Handler Political advisor Slide 12 Incumbent The current holder of a political office Slide 13 Elector A person chosen by a state to cast one of its votes in a presidential election Slide 14 Populism A political appeal directed chiefly at promoting the rights and interests of the masses Slide 15 Lame Duck An elected official whose power is waning because his or her term is ending Slide 16 Grass Roots The general public who vote in an election, in contrast to the leadership of a political party Slide 17 Running Mate A candidates partner; the second candidate on a team who wish to be elected together Slide 18 Coalition An alliance between different factions or interest groups Slide 19 Campaign Trail The places visited by a candidate seeking to be elected Slide 20 Front Runner The candidate who appear to be winning an election Slide 21 Sound Bites Short segments of speeches or campaign appearances that fit nicely into TV news Slide 22 Landslide A political victory by an overwhelming majority of votes Slide 23 Coattails Candidates are said to have these if their popularity rubs off on another candidate of their party Slide 24 War Horse Politician or soldier who has survived many struggles and conflicts Slide 25 Fat Cat Wealthy person who is expected to make large contributions to a campaign Slide 26 Favorite Son A candidate born or living in the state or community where an election is held Slide 27 Dark Horse Candidate who is not expected to win easily Slide 28 Platform The principles and policies adopted by a political party upon which it seeks to be elected Slide 29 Hard-liners Those who favor an uncompromising position on an issue or toward another party, country or group Slide 30 Polls Questions asked of voters during an election to determine their preferences regarding the candidates and the issues in a campaign; the place where votes are cast or recorded