Help me out. Why is "Democrat Party" so insulting?

[toddaa]

To me it just confirms my suspicion that right wingers are functionally illiterate.

[jpgray]

1. It's like the difference between "Jewish lawyer" and "Jew lawyer"

I hope you can tell that difference, at least.

[aquart]

8. Perfect example. Thank you.

I'm going to steal it.

[jayctravis]

18. And it's the same as saying "republic party"

[deutsey]

21. That's perfect. Thanks for the clarifying example.

I have a long drawn-out explanation for why it's wrong, but that sums it up perfectly.

:thumbsup:

[CPschem]

2. it's a rovian tactic

[NYC Liberal]

3. Because it's a DELIBERATE effort by Repugs. It was CREATED as an insult.

Plus, it emphasises the "RAT" at the end

[havocmom]

4. A) it is grammatically incorrect

B) we don't appreciate the unfriendly diminutive of 'rats'

Next question? ;)

[Nye Bevan]

5. I've always wondered why people here get so worked up about that one

After all, we are Democrats and we are in a Party. I don't see missing the "ic" as a big deal.

[bigendian]

6. It started in the campaign of 2000.

The Bush camp used a subliminal message ad that called Democrats "Rats".

[Jacobin]

7. Exactly

[liberalgenes]

9. Count me among those who are really bothered by it

"Democratic" is an adjective with a positive connotation for most people. I think they say "Democrat" party as a subtle way of distancing the connection between democracy and the Democratic party in people's minds.

[WilliamPitt]

12. More than that

It's an example of how easily manipulated the media is. The GOP started using it over and over...and now you hear the media use it all the time.

[wishlist]

10. Instead of democratic it sounds like democ-rat, emphasis on the 'rat' n/t

[porphyrian]

11. Because it's done intentionally. - n/t

[NewYorkerfromMass]

13. The word 'democratic' is not in their vocabulary

they don't believe in democracy, or haven't you noticed this since Florida 2000?
The can't even say the word.

[Gwerlain]

14. Because it indicates we're not "democratic." n/t

[WinkyDink]

15. Because it's a name coined by REPUBLICANS to DENIGRATE us.

Kinda like Chimpy's imposed nicknames.

[Subdivisions]

16. Simple answer. Because we are the "Democratic" Party.

[sonicx]

17. Entry from Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democrat_Party_%28phrase%29

[msongs]

19. an attempt to frame and make democrat party equivalent to liberal as a

perjurative.

the repukes will repeat this over and over so the

DEMS BETTER FIGHT THIS MEME or we will lose the word democratic to describe our party.

anybody in the press conf ask bush about this?

is peolosi gonna say anything? demand respect for the word democratic?

Msongs
www.msongs.com

[LanternWaste]

20. I'll liken it to the traditional use of one's Christian name in Russia

I'll liken it to the traditional use of one's Christian name in Russia (we'll Americanize the name for a better analogy).

In Russia, you have your given (Christian) name. Let's use 'Michael' for this example. Calling him Michael is a sign, not so much of respect, but of esteem and regard.

Beyond this, there is the "diminutive name' (we call them nicknames). So Michael becomes Mikey. Michael certainly doesn't mind being called Mikey by his wife and his close friends, but if his close friend introduces him to a stranger as 'Mikey', we've got a serious breach of etiquette.

Or think of going to your corporate boss whom you've only met once or twice, and addressing him as Mikey rather than Mr. Jones. While probably not a firing offense, it is a serious sign of disrespect for both him and his office.

Simply put, it bad form.