retail politics

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noun (used with a singular or plural verb)

a political strategy or campaign style of meeting and speaking directly to as many voters as possible: New Hampshire is a state where retail politics are decisive.Not every candidate is good at retail politics.

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Origin of retail politics

First recorded in 1900–05; in the sense of “politics in which votes are for sale”

Words nearby retail politics

Reszke, ret, retable, retail, retailing, retail politics, retail price index, retail therapy, retain, retained, retained earnings

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use retail politics in a sentence

He made known his disdain for the demands of retail politics as he returned to the more private life of a writer and novelist.
Wait a Minute, Clinton Coronators—Here Comes Jim Webb|Eleanor Clift|September 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Yet for all the hullabaloo about outside groups, the race may simply come down to old-fashioned retail politics.
Nebraska’s GOP Cage Match|Ben Jacobs|March 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
We spent a lot of time on retail politics and fought for every one of those votes.
Never Bet Against Senator Heidi Heitkamp, North Dakota’s Rising Star|Sandra McElwaine|January 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The only thing that comes close is The Simpsons on retail politics: “Abortions for some, miniature American flags for others”.
Why You're Wrong About Monty Python|Tom Doran|March 15, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Nonetheless, Iowa is where the action is right now, the front line of retail politics.
GOP Players’ Iowa Test|John Avlon|August 11, 2011|DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for retail politics

retail politics

noun

(functioning as plural) informal the practice of a politician soliciting in person for votes from the public

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012