Definition

The art of making bad news sound like good news, perfected by political communications teams who could describe a house fire as "an unexpected urban warming event." It's lying's more socially acceptable cousin.

Example Usage

"According to the campaign's spin, losing the election by twenty points was actually a moral victory and a promising foundation for the future, which is one way to describe a landslide defeat."

Related Terms

Beginner

Vetted

Thoroughly investigated and approved by leadership, meaning your background can withstand media scrutiny and you won't embarrass the organization.

🏛️ Government / Politics
Beginner

Mudsling

Using personal attacks and negative accusations against a political opponent rather than discussing policy.

🏛️ Government / Politics
Advanced

closed rule

A procedural rule that prohibits amendments to a bill during floor debate, forcing an up-or-down vote on the text as written. Democracy's equivalent of 'take it or leave it.'

🏛️ Government / Politics
Advanced

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.

🏛️ Government / Politics
Intermediate

Caucus Room

The exclusive space where legislative power actually gets distributed, far from public view and constituent input.

🏛️ Government / Politics
Advanced

Pork Barrel

Government spending directed toward a specific district to make the local politician look like a hero, even if nobody needed a forty-million-dollar museum dedicated to the history of buttons. It's bribery but with better branding.

🏛️ Government / Politics

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