mugwumps
Aloof party abstainers
Mugwumps were Republican activists who refused to support their party's 1884 presidential candidate, crossing over to vote for the Democrat instead.
The term now applies broadly to political independents or fence-sitters who won't commit to a party: The mugwumps hold the balance of power in this election.
The word carries a faint whiff of self-righteousness—someone who considers themselves above partisan loyalty.
Free from external control
- nonpartisanNot aligned politically
- fence-sitterOne avoiding commitment
- defectorOne who abandons allegiance
- bolterOne who escapes suddenly
reformer · Republican · 1884 · Blaine · Cleveland · dissident · renegade · turncoat
One avoiding commitment
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- vacillatingSwaying between choices
- uncommittedNot bound to anything
- wishy-washyLacking firmness or decisiveness
equivocating · hedging · noncommittal · ambivalent · irresolute · undecided · waffling · hesitant
Apart or uninvolved
- superiorHigher in rank
- holier-than-thouSmugly moralistic toward others
- sanctimoniousFeigning moral superiority
- self-righteousSmugly certain of correctness
elitist · haughty · disdainful · condescending · snobbish · standoffish · lofty · preachy
independent
Free from external control
- nonpartisanNot aligned politically
- fence-sitterOne avoiding commitment
- defectorOne who abandons allegiance
bolter · reformer · Republican · 1884 · Blaine · Cleveland · dissident · renegade · turncoat · apostate
fence-sitter
One avoiding commitment
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- vacillatingSwaying between choices
- uncommittedNot bound to anything
wishy-washy · equivocating · hedging · noncommittal · ambivalent · irresolute · undecided · waffling · hesitant · dithering
detached
Apart or uninvolved
- superiorHigher in rank
- holier-than-thouSmugly moralistic toward others
- sanctimoniousFeigning moral superiority
self-righteous · elitist · haughty · disdainful · condescending · snobbish · standoffish · lofty · preachy · moralistic
mugwumpspartisans
Staunch factional supporters
loyalists · party faithful · stalwarts · die-hards · machine politicians