crosses the aisle
Votes against party
Crosses the aisle describes reaching out to work with political opponents, referencing the physical aisle separating opposing parties in legislative chambers.
In American politics, it typically means a Republican cooperating with Democrats or vice versa: She crossed the aisle to support the bipartisan infrastructure bill.
The phrase can carry positive connotations of compromise and statesmanship, or negative ones suggesting disloyalty to one's party, depending on the speaker's perspective.
- bipartisanshipCooperation between political rivals
- bridge-buildingEstablishing connections between estranged parties
- party linesOfficial political positions
- bipartisan billLaw supported across parties
- mediationIntervention to resolve conflict
reaching across · political courage · amendments · compromise · working together · good faith · voting blocs · empathy · moderates · understanding · unity · dialogue · swing vote · negotiation · consensus · olive branch · reconciliation · caucuses
crosses the aislefalls in line
Adopts expected behavior
toes the line · party loyalist · party-line vote · rubber stamps · partisan
crosses the aisledigs in
Fortifies one's position
stonewalls · true believer · hyperpartisan · hardliner · uncompromising
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