- Industry: Broadcasting & receiving
- Number of terms: 5074
- Number of blossaries: 1
- Company Profile:
The largest broadcasting organisation in the world.
If politicians on the left of the US political spectrum believe they are being unfairly attacked or smeared, they will often refer to the attacks as "swift-boating", in reference to the series of anti-John Kerry adverts aired in the run-up to the 2004 presidential election by a 527 group called the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth.
The adverts featured veterans who - like Mr Kerry - served on naval craft known as "Swift Boats" in Vietnam and who were critical of Mr Kerry's record in the war.
Industry:Government
Left wing online activists and bloggers. Their annual convention, originally organized by liberal website Daily Kos, is now considered an important stop for aspiring Democrat politicians. The netroots provided pivotal early support for the campaigns of Howard Dean and Barack Obama, and helped oust Joe Lieberman from the Democratic senate ticket in 2006.
Industry:Government
An American term for an orbital highway that often surrounds major cities. In political reporting, the term generally refers to congressional business undertaken inside the highway surrounding Washington DC - Interstate 495. For example, "a beltway issue" refers to a political issue or debate considered to be of importance only to the political class and of little interest to the general public.
Industry:Government
Member of the senate, the upper house of congress. Each US state has two (a junior and a senior senator, distinguished by length of service). In 2008 the presumptive nominees from both main parties are senators. The last time a senator was directly elected to the White House was in 1960, when John F. Kennedy won the presidency.
Industry:Government
This is a procedural tactic to block or delay legislation used predominantly in the United States Senate.
A filibuster usually involves a senator or group of senators talking for hours or days to prevent a final vote on a bill. Overcoming a filibuster requires a cloture motion, which must be passed by three-fifths of the senate - usually 60 senators. These days, actual filibusters are rarely carried out, but the threat of them is enough to force a cloture vote.
Industry:Government
This is a procedure in some US states, whereby citizens can draw up a petition for a proposed change in the law. It will be placed before voters in a referendum if it gathers enough signatures.
If the change is approved by the voters, it becomes law.
Sometimes, political parties may organise ballot initiatives on controversial issues in an attempt to drive up turnout among their core supporters. For example, in 2004, a number of states held referendums on Republican-initiated ballot initiatives to ban gay marriage.
Ballot initiatives are sometimes referred to as "ballot measures" or "propositions".
Industry:Government
Each of the 50 US states has a governor, who is the state's chief administrator. The governor is responsible for the effective and efficient workings of the state's various departments.
A governor's term of office lasts for four years. The number of times a governor can be re-elected varies from state to state.
Industry:Government
Another term for swing state. A state which could vote Democratic (blue) or Republican (red).
Industry:Government
People or volunteers used by political candidates or parties to document the activities of their rivals. Trackers usually follow opposing candidates with recording equipment - video cameras, audio recorders etc - so they can inform their own candidate of what's being said or promised, and document any gaffes, slip ups or lies.
Industry:Government
An imprecise term used most often to describe those involved in the framing and adoption of the Constitution at the Philadelphia Convention of 1787.
The convention brought together 55 delegates from the then-13 states.
Their decisions and the constitution they drew up laid the groundwork for the country's political system as it is today. The term is sometimes also used to include influential figures in the struggle for independence and those who fought the Revolutionary War.
Industry:Government
