Mondale's passionate attachment to the issue reflects his thralldom to the policy wonks and wise men of the Washington establishment.

Kirk O'Donnell, 42, who recently joined the campaign staff, is a unique combination of Boston pol and "policy wonk" who is best known in Washington as Tip O'Neill's former right-hand man, the guy who sold the speaker's program to the congressional troops.

Clinton and Gore . . . . both are new-ideas moderates with a policy wonk's love of the intricacies of complex issues.

But access to ministers is not the only reason right-of-centre policy wonks are excited.

Policy wonk

Meaning

Noun

Synonyms