SMOKEFILLEDROOM

Smoke-filled room

In U.S. political jargon, a smoke-filled room is a term for a secret political gathering or round table style decision-making process. The phrase is generally used to suggest an inner circle of power brokers, as at a convention. It suggests a cabal of powerful or well-connected, cigar-smoking men meeting privately to nominate a dark horse political candidate or otherwise make decisions. without regard for the will of the larger group.

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