fomentum

fomentum


(n.) -- A state of existence reached when a gaggle of political candidates gather for a debate and ignore the issues, respond to questions without substance, preferring to bluster, posture and end the debate having done nothing other than denigrate each of the other politicians on stage.

"Did you see it? The South Carolina Republican debate last night produced new fomentum as the candidates berated each other and offered not a single substantive idea."

-- overheard at a watercooler in Raleigh, South Carolina, January 20, 2012