original_query: What is opposition research and how is it used in politics?
query: What is opposition research and how is it used in politics?
answer: Opposition research, also known as oppo research, is the practice of gathering information on a political opponent to discredit or weaken them.  This can include biographical details, legal history, financial records, and media coverage. It's used tactically in campaigns, sometimes as part of negative campaigning, and ranges from open-source research to covert operations and the use of informants.