opposition researchnoun.
Euphemism for potentially scandalous information uncovered while researching a political opponent. (Also, verb: To investigate a political opponent with the hope of digging up past indiscretions.)
Example Citation:
"Over the past decade, scandal has become an integral part of everyday politics. Largely as the result of a growing political industry known as 'opposition research,' allegations of wrongdoing by an opponent are dispensed by candidates as readily as position papers."
—Sara Fritz, "Has political mudslinging been devalued by overuse?", Congressional Quarterly
