We have all heard and read of the party whips—both Republicans and Democrats—who are primarily responsible for mobilizing votes on major issues along party lines. The party whip wields political power within a state or federal legislative body, and the post is aggressively sought after by ambitious politicians.
The Charlotte Observer tells us that the term comes from foxhunting, whips being “members of the hunting team responsible for keeping the dogs from straying during a chase.”
The reader may form his or her own conclusion about the aptness of the term’s usage!
Posted March 19, 2012
