Democrat is not an adjective.

[mattclearing]

I keep having to say this, so maybe it should be its own thread.

It's the Democratic Party. Always has been, always will be.

Republicans snidely refer to it as the Democrat Party in order to imply that we are somehow less than democratic.

It's important that we avoid letting their language creep into our speech. It legitimizes their warped point of view.

[murielm99]

1. Well said!

:yourock:

[CottonBear]

2. I hate that term. It is demeaning.

No one ever calls the Republicans on that point. I think that I shall correct people when they use that term in conversation.

[Crunchy Frog]

5. That's the purpose.

That's exactly why they do it. They came up with the strategy of using that term for the express purpose of demeaning and belittling Democrats.

I think that every time they do it, we should call them out on their bad grammar. Of course, then they'd just whine about how we're oppressing them by being "elitist".

[housewolf]

3. I agree - it's the "Democratic Party", not the "Democrat Party"

"Democrat Party" was a distortion Newt Gingich and the Contract for America folks imposed on the country in order to dis-enfranchise the Democratic Party. They thought they could separate the Party from the concept of Democracy by distorting the name. It's another one of those "frames" that the Repubs have introduced into the common lexicon that we need to take back.

[mattclearing]

4. Exactly.

And I would further note that I am not of a mind to come up with an equivalent term for the Republican Party.

However, this Democrat nonsense is outside the bounds of respectful opposition, and deserves a thorough rebuke.

Our representatives should never let it go unchallenged when used in floor speeches.

I sure as hell don't let it go unchallenged here.

[CottonBear]

6. I agree with you 100%.

Both sides should use the proper names for the parties. It's proper, respectful and grammatically correct!

[CottonBear]

7. Newt. Bah!

As a Georgian, I apologize for my state having inflicted Newt, Zell and Saxby on my fellow citizens. (On the bright side we have provided Cynthia McKinney, John Lewis and Max Cleland.)

[Ken Burch]

14. Actually, the term "Democrat Party" goes back at least to Joe McCarthy

I believe the idea was to call into question our right to claim to be a "democratic" organization, and also because the phrase "Democrat Party" has a slightly sleazy, scuzzy sound to it for some reason.

(...not that we haven't had the occasional scuzz or sleaze in our ranks, but they're tolerable so long as they don't stick you with the tab or end up passed out on YOUR living room floor...)

[Idioteque]

8. Every time Republicans call us the "Democrat Party"...

...on the floor of the house, somebody should ask the speaker to rule that it is inappropriate name calling. If it keeps happing, we should nto be afraid to call them the Republic party, or even better, the Repub party. In fact, if they keep going, we should just start calling them the 'pubs.

[TankLV]

13. I prefer "repuke".

[GreenPartyVoter]

9. I'm not even a member of the DNC, but it does drive me crazy

when they say Democrat Party.

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Save our country one town, county, and state at a time!
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[brainshrub]

10. Saying "Democrat" is a form of Bullying.

They know it.

[renaissanceguy]

11. Yup, and we should call them on it.

We're entitled to being called by our right name.

Meanwhile, we need to reiterate that "Democrat" and "liberal" are GOOD qualities to possess.

http://www.cafepress.com/liberalissues.16472020

[TankLV]

12. Thank you.

Needs to be shouted wide and far.