Definition

The office, role, and ego-boosting title of being president, along with all the power, pomp, and terrible approval ratings that come with it. It encompasses both the position itself and the byzantine bureaucracy that springs forth from the president's desk. The term also covers the temporal stretch during which one poor soul occupies this demanding chair and ages visibly in real-time.

Example Usage

During her presidency of the organization, membership grew by 300% and the annual budget tripled.

Source: Common political terminology

Related Terms

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iron triangle

The cozy relationship between congressional committees, bureaucratic agencies, and interest groups that creates self-perpetuating policy networks resistant to reform. A love triangle where everyone wins except taxpayers.

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pairing

An arrangement where two legislators on opposite sides of an issue agree to abstain from voting, canceling each other out, allowing one or both to miss the vote. It's the gentleman's agreement of parliamentary procedure.

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Christmas tree bill

Legislation adorned with so many amendments, earmarks, and special provisions that it resembles a decorated holiday tree, with each member of Congress hanging their pet project on it. A must-pass bill that becomes a legislative grab bag because everyone knows it's going through regardless.

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floor leader

The legislator who manages their party's legislative strategy and agenda on the chamber floor, coordinating votes and guiding debate. They're part traffic cop, part strategist, and full-time cat herder.

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rider

An unrelated provision attached to a bill like a barnacle on a ship's hull, often sneaking through policy that couldn't survive on its own merits. Politicians use riders to smuggle controversial items through on popular legislation.

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franking privilege

The right of legislators to send mail at public expense using their signature instead of postage, theoretically for official business but conveniently useful for election-year constituent outreach. It's free advertising disguised as public service.

🏛️ Government / Politics

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daddy

A familial reference to George Bush Sr., used primarily during his son's presidency to distinguish between the two Bush ...