Read something about Trent Lott and he's chosen as the "second in command" of the political party as a "whip"
2006-11-16 02:59:55 · 4 answers · asked by GI Cho 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
The Whip is essentially the party strongman. When there is an important vote, the Whip is in charge of getting the members to show up for the vote and "whip" them into voting the way the party wants them too. In some cases, this may be offering them something in exchange for a positive vote in others, this may resort to threats of loss of party position or status. Keep in mind, this is generally used for important votes.
The Whip also polls party members to see how many votes they have on a certain issue. In the case of a minority party, this may be important if they need to sustain a veto. In the case of the majority party, it may be to see what they need to get by a veto or be veto proof on an issue.
2006-11-16 03:08:35 · answer #1 · answered by Crusader1189 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You're exactly right. The "Whip" is the second in command to the party "Leader".
In the House, the Minority Whip is second in command of the party, while the Majority Whip is actually third, after the Speaker & Majority Leader.
In the Senate, there is no "Speaker"-type position (officially), so Trent Lott, as Minority Whip, will be second in command of all the Senate Republicans.
2006-11-16 11:03:52 · answer #2 · answered by amg503 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Officially, the whip "counts votes", but they do much more than that. As the second answer noted, they are responsible for "whipping" the party into shape and "getting" the votes needed to forward the agenda.
2006-11-16 11:16:03 · answer #3 · answered by Derek D 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A political whip is what Ted Kennedy likes used on him by hookers.
2006-11-16 11:55:58 · answer #4 · answered by LIBS ARE FOOLS 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋