politician
Seeker of votes
A politician is a person who holds or seeks political office, or who is active in party politics.
The word often carries a cynical edge—suggesting someone skilled at maneuvering, making deals, or telling people what they want to hear: He's a real politician, always working the room.
A skilled politician knows how to build coalitions and survive controversy.
The term can apply beyond government: office politicians jockeying for the corner office.
Entrust authority to another
- constituencyElectoral district's voters
- advocatePublic cause supporter
- spokespersonAuthorized representative communicator
- representativeOne who acts for another
voice · constituent services · ombudsman · elected official · public servant · trustee · district · ward
Preference for existing institutions
- liberalismPhilosophy valuing reform, tolerance
- socialismCommunal economic control
- capitalismPrivate profit-based economy
- libertarianismMinimal-government political philosophy
progressivism · nationalism · populism · centrism · neoliberalism · left-wing · right-wing · moderate
Gathering for a cause
- stumpTrunk base after felling
- electioneeringPolitical campaign activity
- canvassingSystematic direct voter outreach
- speechesFormal spoken presentations
platform · endorsements · fundraising · slogan · primaries · caucus · nomination · townhall
One who drafts legislation
- amendmentsFormal changes to documents
- regulationsEnforced rules and standards
- statutesFormally enacted laws
- draftingCreating technical blueprints
bills · committees · lobbying · filibuster · veto · sponsor · co-sponsor · floor vote
One who bargains professionally
- peacemakerConflict resolution agent
- statespersonSkilled government leader
- envoyAccredited diplomatic representative
- mediatorNeutral conflict resolver
ambassador · emissary · liaison · summit · treaty · bilateral · multilateral · foreign relations
Disgraceful public affair
- briberyCorrupt payment for influence
- graftIllicit political gain
- kickbackIllegal payment for services
- cronyismFavoring friends in appointments
nepotism · embezzlement · cover-up · impeachment · indictment · ethics violation · influence peddling · slush fund
delegate
Entrust authority to another
- constituencyElectoral district's voters
- advocatePublic cause supporter
- spokespersonAuthorized representative communicator
representative · voice · constituent services · ombudsman · elected official · public servant · trustee · district · ward · precinct
conservatism
Preference for existing institutions
- liberalismPhilosophy valuing reform, tolerance
- socialismCommunal economic control
- capitalismPrivate profit-based economy
libertarianism · progressivism · nationalism · populism · centrism · neoliberalism · left-wing · right-wing · moderate · partisan
rally
Gathering for a cause
- stumpTrunk base after felling
- electioneeringPolitical campaign activity
- canvassingSystematic direct voter outreach
speeches · platform · endorsements · fundraising · slogan · primaries · caucus · nomination · townhall · grassroots
lawmaker
One who drafts legislation
- amendmentsFormal changes to documents
- regulationsEnforced rules and standards
- statutesFormally enacted laws
bills · drafting · committees · lobbying · filibuster · veto · sponsor · co-sponsor · floor vote · quorum
negotiator
One who bargains professionally
- peacemakerConflict resolution agent
- statespersonSkilled government leader
- envoyAccredited diplomatic representative
mediator · ambassador · emissary · liaison · summit · treaty · bilateral · multilateral · foreign relations · détente
scandal
Disgraceful public affair
cronyism · nepotism · embezzlement · cover-up · impeachment · indictment · ethics violation · influence peddling · slush fund · quid pro quo
- jobsdoctor, administrator, lawyer, teacher, nurse
- politicsdemocracy, campaigning, campaigns, democrats, bill
- government jobscivil servant, civil servants, federal jobs, public servant, government jobs
- persuaderspersuader, orator, orators, public speaker, speechmaker
- political figurespresident, presidents, vice president, vice presidents, senator
- politicoslegislator, lawmaker, senator, congressman, representative
politiciannonpolitician
One outside government
private citizen · ordinary citizen · civilian · bystander · voter
politicianbureaucrat
Government administrative official
civil servant · technocrat · administrator · appointee · public servant
- career politicians
- professional politicianCareer public servant
- crooked politician
- radical politicianAdvocate for extreme change
- liberal politicianLeft-wing government representative
- disgraced politicianOfficial ruined by scandal
politicians, politicize, politicized, politicizing, politician's, nonpolitician