another unrecorded term--message politics

[David Barnhart]

Seen in the Google listing of NPR news.  Here’s a work-up of this:

 

message politics, {W}  an act by a politician or group of politicians
intended to indicate a position on an issue rather than establish a change.
Standard (used in informal contexts dealing especially with politics;
frequency?)

 

In the era of personality and message politics, Byrd has been an anomaly.
His skill lies chiefly in managing the Senate: setting the yearly agenda,
the weekly schedules and the relentless votes that drive the chamber. His
old-school mastery of the Senate’s formal procedures and informal folkways,
along with his ability to assemble coalitions in his party and hammer away
at Republican weak spots, mark a political style very different from those
of many younger Democrats. Richard E. Cohen, “Byrd’s Decision,” The National
Journal (Nexis), Jan. 23, 1988, p 220

 

In his week in power, President Hollande has proved himself already to be a
master of gesture and message politics.  John Lichfield, “François Hollande
passes first test with credit, but tougher ones to follow,” The Independent
[London] (Nexis), May 21, 2012, p not given 

 

But the House’s efforts haven’t been necessarily pointless. Binder says
votes like the one planned for later this week are all about scoring
political points.

“Much of what we see during split party control of Congress, is this message
politics, which is the parties taking their chamber and using it to pursue a
policy agenda that appeals to their party base,” Binder says. “GOP To Make
31st Attempt To Repeal Obamacare Act,” NPR [National Public Radio] News
(Google), July 9, 2012, <http://www.google.com/ig#m_21>

 

Composite (compound): formed from message (OED: 1981), meaning “A non-verbal
statement or communication expressed through gesture, appearance, etc.,” +
politics (OED: 1638), as in identity politics (DC 11.3: 1998?).  

 

 

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