hot button

polarizing

Causing sharp division

• divisiveCausing sharp disagreement
• contentiousInclined toward disagreement
• inflammatoryTending to provoke outrage

wedge issue · lightning rod · flashpoint · third rail · culture war · partisan · charged · sensitive · touchy · taboo

abortion

Ending a pregnancy

• immigrationRelocating abroad permanently
• gun controlFirearm ownership restrictions
• healthcareOrganized provision of treatment

climate change · taxation · welfare · affirmative action · same-sex marriage · capital punishment · voter ID · gerrymandering · lobbying · partisanship

outrage

Fierce moral indignation

• angerIntense hostile emotion
• passionIntense emotional drive
• furyIntense violent anger

indignation · resentment · heated · volatile · explosive · fervor · vehemence · visceral · raw nerve · sore spot

talking point

Pre-crafted argument for repetition

• argumentReasoned case or dispute
• rhetoricArt of persuasive language
• soundbiteBrief broadcast excerpt

spin · pundit · commentator · op-ed · editorial · town hall · forum · panel · crossfire · rebuttal

• buttonsfast forward, push to talk, remote control, volume control, buzzer
• temperature idiomscold shoulder, cold feet, cool as a cucumber, cold turkey, warm welcome
• Sore Spotsraw nerve, weak spot, trigger, vulnerability, insecurity
• campaign jargonstump speech, talking points, sound bites, soundbite, soundbites
• political jargonfilibuster, gerrymandering, caucus, pork barrel, lame duck
• propagandapropaganda, brainwashing, disinformation, misinformation, indoctrination