Answer:

stumps

Answer	Crossword Clue
STUMPS	Baffles
STUMPS	Pols' places
STUMPS	Very short trees

STUMPS	Axed-tree remnants
STUMPS	Totally baffles
STUMPS	Baffles.
STUMPS	Confounds the experts.
STUMPS	Perplexes.
STUMPS	Electioneers.
STUMPS	Perplexes
STUMPS	What lumberjacks leave

STUMPS	Leaves without an answer
STUMPS	Former trees
STUMPS	Campaigns
STUMPS	Asks unanswerable questions
STUMPS	Works the campaign trail