“Politicians see the light when they feel the heat”
Ronald Reagan (1911-2004) said since at least 1975: "Our job is not to make congress see the light, but to feel the heat." Reagan used the saying several times during his U.S. presidency…
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“Few die and none resign”
"Few die and none resign' (or "few die, none resign") has been said of public officeholders who live long and well on the government payroll. President Thomas Jefferson…
“Prosperity absorbs all criticism”
"Prosperity absorbs all criticism" is a political axiom popularized by Frank Kent (1877-1958), who wrote the newspaper column "The Great Game of Politics" for the Baltimore (MD)…
“No second prize in politics”
In an election, there is one winner, no matter how close the vote is. The saying that there's "no second prize in politics" was described as "an old political axiom" by…
District of Criminals (Washington, D.C. nickname)
The United States capital of Washington, District of Columbia ("DC"), has been nicknamed the "District of Criminals" since at least 1992. The "criminals" term usually…
“You’re either in Luck or you’re out of Luck” (Luck city slogan)
Singer-songwriter Willie Nelson bought land in central Texas and named the town "Luck." By at least 2003, the town's slogan was popularized: "You're either in Luck or out…
“In Iowa, they pick corn; in New Hampshire, they pick presidents”
New Hampshire likes to brag that its primary is more important that the Iowa caucus to the presidential election cycle. In 1988, Vice President George H. W. Bush lost the Iowa caucus to Kansas…
Nuclear Option
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Nuclear optionIn U.S. politics, the nuclear option allows the United States Senate to reinterpret a procedural rule by invoking the constitutional requirement…
“Like nailing jelly to the wall” (“Like nailing jello to the wall”)
"Like nailing jelly to the wall" means something difficult-to-impossible. Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919) coined the expression in April 1912: "Somebody asked me why I did not get an…
“Politics is the gentle art of getting votes from the poor and campaign funds from the rich”
"Politics is the art by which politicians obtain campaign contributions from the rich and votes from the poor on the pretext of protecting each from the other," wrote Oscar Ameringer…
“Any party which takes credit for the rain must take blame for the drought”
Dwight Morrow (1873-1931) gave a speech in October 1930, during his successful campaign for U.S. Senate from New Jersey: "Any party which takes credit for the rain must not be surprised if its…
“A fanatic is one who won’t change his mind and won’t change the subject”
"A fanatic is one who won't change his mind and won't change the subject" is a well-known saying that's often attributed to Winston Churchill (1874-1965), but Churchill…
“Politician—One who shakes your hand before election and your confidence after”
"A practical politician is a man who shakes your hand before election and your acquaintance afterward" is a quotation that was widely reprinted in newspapers in September -October 1927,…
“Politician—One who stands for what he thinks the voters will fall for”
"Politician -- One who stands for what he thinks the voters will fall for" is one of the definitions in A Connotary; Definitions not found in dictionaries, collected from the sayings of…
“Honesty in politics is like oxygen—the higher up you go, the scarcer it becomes”
"Honesty in politics is much like oxygen -- the higher up you go, the scarcer it becomes" is a humorous saying about politics that's cited frequently on the internet. George D.…
“Betty Eats Cakes And Uncle Sells Eggs” (“because” spelling aid)
"Betty/Baby Eats Cake/Carrots And Uncle Sells/Sucks/Sam's Eggs” is a mnemonic aid that some have used to spell the word “because.” The version “Baby Eats Cake And Uncle Sells…
“When they call roll in the Senate, senators don’t know whether to answer present or not guilty”
"When they call the roll in the Senate, the senators do not know whether to answer 'present' or 'not guilty'" is a saying usually credited to Theodore Roosevelt…
“Blackout in a can” (caffeinated and alcoholic energy drink)
"Blackout in a can" is a nickname for a caffeinated, alcoholic energy drink, such as Four Loko. The caffeine prevents the consumer for realizing the alcoholic intake; drinking an entire…
Champagne Unit (Texas Air National Guard nickname)
The Texas Air National Guard 147th Fighter Interceptor Group, at Ellington Field in Houston, was dubbed the "champagne unit" because its members -- the sons of Texas elite -- would likely…
Small Business Saturday
The first-ever "Small Business Saturday" occurred on November 27, 2010 -- sandwiched between the post-Thanksgiving shopping days of "Black Friday' and "Cyber Monday."…