convention bounce

Defined
A presidential candidate's surge in popularity immediately following his formal nomination at a national convention, with all the attendant media coverage and public interest. Similarly, candidates may experience "primary bounces" -- a bump in opinion polls after winning an important state primary or caucus.

Example
In 2004, The Washington Post's Richard Morin and Dan Balz said of John Kerry's 2004 presidential bid, "By historical standards, Kerry's post-convention bounce is modest, at best -- a fact that set off a debate between the candidates' campaign advisers." (The Washington Post, August 3, 2004)

HISTORY
The term was used as early as 1980 by Jimmy Carter's presidential spokesperson, Jody Powell, according to William Safire's Political Dictionary. Although Ronald Reagan ultimately defeated Carter that year, Powell described the psychological lift from Carter's increase in ratings as "the post-convention bounce we hoped for."

• The Primary 'Bounce' (The Post, April 14, 2008)

Look Up Terms

By Category:

• Campaign Finance
• Coined Phrases
• Congressional
• Election
• General
• Legislative
• Party-Affiliated
• White House

Alphabetically:

• A
• B
• C
• D
• E
• F
• G
• H
• I
• J
• K
• L
• M
• N
• O
• P
• Q
• R
• S
• T
• U
• V
• W
• X
• Y
• Z

Surprise Me »

187 words and phrases catalogued so far.

Recently Added:

• Stump
• Superdelegate
• Glass Ceiling

Contribute Terms:

There's a treasure trove (or minefield) of political words and phrases out there. Are we missing a stunning example of political wordsmithery? Is there a term that stumps you? Tell us about it.