Republicans: "Democrat Party" No More

WASHINGTON — Republicans have come up with another name for the opposing party _ the right name.

For years now, the GOP has gone after "Democrat schemes," "Democrat presidents," "Democrat Congresses" _ all phrases from the 1996 Republican platform, repeated many times since. Twenty years earlier, Bob Dole famously declared that all wars of the 20th century were "Democrat wars."

On Tuesday, members of the Republican platform committee meeting in Minneapolis voted down a proposal to call the opposition the "Democrat Party" in the 2008 platform. Instead, they'll go with the proper Democratic Party.

"We probably should use what the actual name is," said Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, the panel's chairman. "At least in writing."

In 1996, references to the Democratic Party were purged from a draft of the platform. As party leaders explained at the time, they wanted to make the subtle point that the Democratic Party had become elitist, no longer small-d democratic.

In the debate Tuesday, Jim Bopp of Indiana echoed that sentiment but said fair's fair.

"We should afford them the respect that they are entitled and call them by their legal name."

(This version CORRECTS SUBS 5th graf to correct to 1996.)

Comments

[IRepTheKing]

They also need to stop calling supporters, "fans". I'm a supporter.

[Grunty1]

Can we still call them the Repub Party though?
Dubya gave us permission, after all.

[marylandtravelinman]

They are only "pledging" this because their brand is destroyed. Even McCain's signs are blue and don't list him as a Republican. That’s why they chose him because if they picked someone that was a “dye in wool” Republican they would have had no chance. Everyone is running from the Republican Party.

It didn't offend me hear the party referred to as the Democrat Party. It is grammatically incorrect and just made them sound dumb... dumber. Besides, subtle doesn't work with Wal-Mart Middle America.

[Daly]

and their standard bearer had said he'd run a respectful campaign

Mission Accomplished

their current pick said there were WMDs

we would be greeted as liberators

we'd leave Iraq if their government asked us to

Most honest thing to come out of GOP is Chaney's "SO" as in So we do not Give A F$*@

[fignozzle]

what a transparent bone they have thrown us!!!!!!!!!!!

my heavens!

[gevan]

It never ceases to amaze me to what ends the Republicker Party will stoop to.

[Paz3]

I can only think that the Repugs have determined that "Democrat Party" doesn't poll so well any longer, and maybe a lot of their other negativity. That's the only reason for these misanthropes to change any of their strategies.

[darthdarcy]

To me they're still the party promoting, American fascism...­!

[conservativesoncrack]

Yes, the Rpugs are the Facist Party of America. Indeed!

[marylandtravelinman]

If by Fascism you mean Corporations ruling the coutry and the world....I agree.

[jalapeno]

And Fascism regarding their treatment of Immigrants, for profit prisons, phoney airport security measures, insistance on reversing human rights, and their spying on the American Public ...

[Bompa]

Take a look at the 14 characteristics of Facism... they all seem to fit what has happened..­. I would ask..Are we there yet?

http://www.rense.com/general37/char.htm

[MrWampler]

This is more-or-less admitting that it was a subtle insult to the Democrats.

[ThunderclapNewman]

There was nothing subtle about it.

It was always intended to be an insult.

[journey80]

I get that it was INTENDED TO BE an insult, but did we have to be immature and silly enough to agree and obediently get all gratifyingly upset? How about ignoring it?

What is this, a language experiment? Just how many stupid things can we get them to buy? Let's make "liberal" a dirty word, hey! Let's get them to expend volumes of print and untold energy on a really, really stupid meaningless word that we declare is an insult. Think they'll buy it?

Why, yes! They WILL!

D'OH!

[Knowitall]

Agree. Like a hammer!! I think Democrats handled it just right. Like adults. It was like having a little dog yapping at your heels, or a gnat buzzing around your head. You ignore it because it is meaningless. It only made them look foolish. With all the important issues in the world, their platform committee is working on this??? Pathetic.

[Freesia2]

"We probably should use what the actual name is," said Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, the panel's chairman. "At least in writing."

What are they trying to prove? That they're dumb? After almost 8 years of the "terroristsssss" running a "nucular" White House, we know this. Hey, we're not stupid you big dummies.

And I'm not sure they should be allowed to use the word "legal".

[DarkWitch]

This comment will probably get removed, but I just got to say it:

EFF THEM!

Keep on calling us the Democrat Party, BEE ARCHES. Hell, maybe we should legally change the name, then the Repugnants could at least be getting one thing right.

[Hillrick]

From the party of Lincoln to this. The dark side is too seductive Luke!

[TrooAmerican]

huh, after bush has been saying it and his cronies at Fox and murdoch's empires, have been saying it, its been 8 yrs or more.
The entire party runs on insults, disrespect, lack of professionalism, zero leadership, greed, corruption, pompous self righteous zealotry baked with a side of daily lies and frauding of the American people.
Values of the "Values voters" including the Entire Evangelical world of falsification and Hippocrisy.

Yippeeee.

[Donnat]

who cares what they say? it's all lies.

[princessk]

Dumbing down...wha­t Republicans do best.

[trollsbwild]

Too little, too late. Bush smooth talked Nancy Pelosi in 2006 only to be stabbed in the back. Frankly, partisan behavior by this WH has been at times embarrassing. The GOP didn't help matters when they only allowed Democratic House members to only be able to meet in the Capitol basement.
The Dems better take the gloves off and start slinging the mud back at them or they face another defeat this November.