A
political player is a participant in
politics who has or is perceived to have influence or power, although usually on a smaller level than a global
power elite. The phrase may refer to an individual who is a candidate or elected or appointed official, but more commonly refers to someone who is not in office but still wields power or influence, such as a
lobbyist, a
fundraiser or contributor, a
whistleblower, a
political consultant, a
labor union or labor leader, a
corporation, or even an entire
industry. More recently, with the rise of the
Internet,
web-based groups such as
Moveon.org and online organizations, like
ActBlue, have become political players as well.