throw red meat
v.— «The gay-marriage issue could create a minor sideshow to Kerry’s formal nomination and keep the conservative Republican base energized during a time when the national political spotlight will be on Kerry, not Bush. Congressional aides have referred to it as throwing “red meat” to the base.» —“Senate debates gay marriage ban this week” by Stephen Koff Plain Dealer (Cleveland, Ohio) July 11, 2004. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
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