baby-kisser
Votes-seeking office-seeker
A baby-kisser is a politician, especially one who performs folksy gestures to appear relatable and win votes.
The term is mildly derisive, suggesting insincerity: The senator transformed into a baby-kisser every election year.
It often pairs with hand-shaker to describe the performative rituals of campaigning.
Actively pursuing political support
- canvassingSystematic direct voter outreach
- stumpTrunk base after felling
- ralliesGathers or recovers
- primariesIntraparty nomination contests
caucus · debates · endorsements · polling · grassroots · precinct · nominee · voting
Person seeking selection
- politicoPolitical player, informally
- demagogueManipulative populist leader
- officeholderElected or appointed official
- incumbentCurrent position holder
senator · representative · governor · mayor · councilor · legislator · congressperson · assemblyman
Servile praise-giver
- flattererOne dispensing insincere praise
- charmerOne who captivates others
- bootlickerServile flatterer of superiors
- toadyObsequious flatterer seeking favor
fawning · smarmy · unctuous · obsequious · insincere · phony · schmoozer · glad-hander
campaigning
Actively pursuing political support
- canvassingSystematic direct voter outreach
- stumpTrunk base after felling
- ralliesGathers or recovers
primaries · caucus · debates · endorsements · polling · grassroots · precinct · nominee · voting · ballots
candidate
Person seeking selection
- politicoPolitical player, informally
- demagogueManipulative populist leader
- officeholderElected or appointed official
incumbent · senator · representative · governor · mayor · councilor · legislator · congressperson · assemblyman · statesman
sycophant
Servile praise-giver
- flattererOne dispensing insincere praise
- charmerOne who captivates others
- bootlickerServile flatterer of superiors
toady · fawning · smarmy · unctuous · obsequious · insincere · phony · schmoozer · glad-hander · sweet-talker
baby-kisserstatesman
Respected political leader
straight shooter · true believer · man of the people · public servant · genuine article
baby-kisserpolicy wonk
Government details enthusiast
technocrat · wonk · machine politician · cold fish · recluse
baby, kisser, babies, kiss, kisses, kissed, kissing, kissable, babe