To run scared: "Informal To become intimidated or frightened" (zie ref 2). De zin kan een woordspeling zijn op de betekenis van "to run" in een verkiezingscontext. Deze woorspeling is bekend: "Before closing out this discussion on incumbency and congressional elections, I must remind the readers that despite all I have thus far said, members of Congress continue to "run scared." (The phrase is Gary Jacobson's.) Years ago, Richard Fenno argued that even though objective indicators may point to the fact that a member of Congress has little to fear in a reelection bid, all of them act as if they do. Members are always a little paranoid, as losing an election is the worst possible thing that could happen in their careers. Thus, even seemingly safe members are hyper-cautious about the next election." Mogelijke vertalingen zijn dan: "Amerikaanse politici worden bang" ofwel iets in de trant van "Amerikaanse politici gaan angstig de verkiezingen in/zijn bang voor de verkiezingsstrijd."