Republican lie missed by Democratic party (9)

I believe the answer is:

reception

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'party' is the definition.
(I know that reception is a type of party)

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for reception that I've seen before include "signal quality" , "class of youngsters" , "First class" , "at home" , "Formal function" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sunday Times and The Times.

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