poll -- n. an activity in which several or many people are asked a question or a series of questions in order to get information about what most people think about something
temperament -- n. the usual attitude, mood, or behavior of a person
bankruptcy -- n. a condition of financial failure caused by not having the money that you need to pay your debts
holding the bag -- a phrase that means stuck with the costs of a job or material
grasp -- v. to understand
swing state -- n. a state that has voted for candidates of different parties
bent out of shape -- a phrase meaning angry or annoyed by something
read my lips -- a phrase that means people should pay attention to what you are saying