Republican Red - Democrat Blue

[Pepsi_Classic]

Why are Republican states shown as red and Democrat states shown as blue in election coverage? Why are some Democrats called Blue Dogs?

[Pepsi_Classic]

This explains Blue Dog Democrats:
http://www.c-span.org/guide/congress/glossary/bluedog.htm

[dqa]

No cite, but I always assumed news organizations selected red for the GOP to avoid the linkage between the Democratic Party and communism sometimes alleged by those on the right.

From Conservative News Service
**The name ‘Blue Dog Democrat’ is a derivative of the term ‘yellow dog Democrat’, which used to describe the formerly solid Democratic South’s propensity to vote for any Democrat that ran against a Republican, even a “yellow dog.” The coalition says that its moderate-to-conservative views have been “choked blue” in recent years by liberal Democrats.

**

[Julius_Henry]

I remember it being reversed, at least for the 1976 election. Mostly I remember one of my college professors talking about the election night coverage in advance, telling us the colors, and making the connection dga mentioned. He was probably joking. At least, a little bit.

[daniel801]

Maybe because it’s easier to remember that way: Red=Rep

[friedo]

I always assumed it was for mnemonic reasons as well. Red is for Republican.

[Mr.Blue_Sky]

*Originally posted by friedo *
**I always assumed it was for mnemonic reasons as well. Red is for Republican. **

I always assumed is was for DEMONIC reasons. The Devil is red…

[hermann]

My Congressman is a leader of the Blue Dog Democrats. My ex in-laws were yellow dog Democrats.