More than usual, this cycle seems to have both major parties working to reverse-justify changes in positions. In a time when populism reigns and parties are whatever their basest base says they are today, I guess it shouldn’t be surprising. What also shouldn’t be surprising is that they’re using certain key phrases to do it. (NOTE: this may actually be surprising to Axios which awoke one morning to realize politics might be about language. Careful out on that ledge.)
So our second installment of the 2026 election cycle usage dictionary includes a phrase from each side that attempts to reframe the past to avoid contradiction.
Woke 1 [was crazy]
Democratic usage: Popularized by NYC Councilman Chi Osse and launched into the collective political consciousness by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Its goal is excusing or explaining words and actions used by left-leaning figures as far back as 6 years ago. The use of “1,” rather than “version 1” or even “v1” hints that this phrase is born of, and is targeted at a younger, possibly more liberally-inclined audience. Stay tuned to see if it catches on enough to be said to other demos and how they receive it.
“My understanding is that — is that Francesca Hong has made clear her present stances to her electorate…Right, she’s moved away from it. And I have a local city councilman that –Woke one was crazy.” ABC “This Week” 8/9/26, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Whole-of-Government
Republican usage: A term used to thread the needle when it comes to employing a large government to address problems. It endorses using or building all of the government resources necessary, while hoping to avoid reminding the audience that the party using this term once recoiled from and fought against the very ideas this phrase now justifies.
“Civil Rights in the Second Trump Administration: A Whole-of-Government Shift” – Federalist Society Event
“Trump Administration Launches Whole-of-Government Effort to Fight Welfare Fraud” – National Review, 3/27/26
“ By marshaling a whole-of-government approach, our task force has already exposed and brought to justice countless fraudsters who’ve exploited the kindness of American taxpayers.” Washington Post, JD Vance, “The president is fighting a fraud crisis. Now Congress can help.”