glad-hander

1. An excessively friendly or familiar person: “A glad-hander like Patterson offends more people than he charms.”

Example Sentences

The Yalie glad-hander with a legendary pained half-smile campaigned heavily against Fine in the days leading up to the special election, even as he knew it was useless.

Read more on Salon

The professional host and career glad-hander relishes personal interactions with supporters, and even longtime critics acknowledge his charisma in one-on-one interactions.

Read more on Seattle Times

DeSantis has also faced persistent whispers that he is not a natural glad-hander, making Iowa a high-profile test of his ability to engage in the retail politics expected in early primary states.

Read more on Washington Post

But Youngkin supporters paint him as a worthy alternative with a more affable, less prickly personality, someone who transitioned easily from a corporate glad-hander to a first-time candidate.

Read more on New York Times

Mr. Mettler uses the same language as Mr. McCarthy’s biggest Republican detractors in the House: a glad-hander on the outside but a “hatchet man” behind the scenes; “a creature of Washington” who has spent his time building his own power base instead of the party’s.

Read more on New York Times