wirepulling
Covert political maneuvering
Wirepulling is the behind-the-scenes manipulation of people or events to achieve a desired outcome, especially in politics.
The image is of a puppeteer controlling marionettes by pulling their strings: The appointment reeked of wirepulling by party insiders.
Someone who engages in this is a wirepuller.
Crafty and calculating
- machinationCrafty scheming, often hostile
- connivingSecretly planning wrongdoing
- subterfugeDeliberate deception to conceal
- plottingDevising a secret plan
maneuvering · arm-twisting · orchestration · puppeteering · exploitation · deception · trickery · chicanery
Pleading for a cause
- petitioningFormally requesting action
- campaigningActively pursuing political support
- canvassingSystematic direct voter outreach
- lobbyistPaid legislative influencer
interest groups · special interests · access · insider · policymaking · legislative · congressional · parliamentary
Scheming political faction
- collusionFraudulent secret cooperation
- conspiracyClandestine coordinated scheming
- plottingDevising a secret plan
- intrigueSecret plotting or fascination
backstairs · confederacy · complicity · cover-up · network · faction · clique · coterie
Concealed from authorities
- surreptitiousDone secretly, avoiding detection
- backroomPrivate space for dealings
- secretiveInclined to conceal
- behind-the-scenesHidden from public view
hidden · underhanded · stealthy · furtive · veiled · discreet · shadowy · cloak-and-dagger
scheming
Crafty and calculating
- machinationCrafty scheming, often hostile
- connivingSecretly planning wrongdoing
- subterfugeDeliberate deception to conceal
plotting · maneuvering · arm-twisting · orchestration · puppeteering · exploitation · deception · trickery · chicanery · skulduggery
advocacy
Pleading for a cause
- petitioningFormally requesting action
- campaigningActively pursuing political support
- canvassingSystematic direct voter outreach
lobbyist · interest groups · special interests · access · insider · policymaking · legislative · congressional · parliamentary · corridors of power
cabal
Scheming political faction
- collusionFraudulent secret cooperation
- conspiracyClandestine coordinated scheming
- plottingDevising a secret plan
intrigue · backstairs · confederacy · complicity · cover-up · network · faction · clique · coterie · insiders
clandestine
Concealed from authorities
- surreptitiousDone secretly, avoiding detection
- backroomPrivate space for dealings
- secretiveInclined to conceal
behind-the-scenes · hidden · underhanded · stealthy · furtive · veiled · discreet · shadowy · cloak-and-dagger · concealed
influence
Power to affect others
control · dominance · authority · ascendancy · command · connections · strings · grip · hold · reach
wirepullinggrassroots activism
Citizen-led political engagement
plain dealing · public discourse · candor · openness · democratic participation
wire, wires, wired, wiring, wireman, wireless, pull, pulls, pulled