Leno on Democrat candidates1 min read

Louis says:

The very title of this post is indicative of your bias: "Democrat" Candidates rather than the proper "Democratic" Candidates. This is routinely used by Republican hacks to belittle Democrats.

danielg says:

Democrat is no more correct than referring to the other party as Republic. Get it?
Actually, that is not true. In fact, the word “Democrat” is the proper noun for someone in the Democratic party. However, someone in the Republican party is called a “Republican,” not a “Republic.”
It is a very purposeful and calculated slur against the Democratic party to connote the notion that the the party is not democratic or representative of the ideals of democracy in this nation….I don’t personally take offense to this slur, but it is a slur. Go ahead and try and sell me on the idea that it isn’t a slur by the Administration or anyone else in the conservative movement.
I’d say that Aaron’s misstep was merely grammatical, and not meant as a slight. I don’t think that the word “Democrat” is used as a slight the way you or Louis contend, any more or less than the word “Republican.”
I mean, are people really using the word “Democrat” as an adjective to indicate that the party is not Democratic? Please show examples, because as a registered republican and Bill O. fan, I’ve NEVER heard that usage. I think you libs are a tad oversensitive, if not paranoid. To borrow a phrase, “What a bunch of nappy headed hos!” (just to talk about over reactions).

danielg says:

But I've heard conservative pundits on Fox News use it frequently and deliberately.
Really? Perhaps you could find some references, this is all news to me. Not that I don't believe you, it's just that I am interested. I don't watch Hannity or any of those other shows, though I do catch Glen Beck on CNN once in a while, and enjoy his show. Again, I've never heard him use Democrat that way.

Silver Hallide says:

Actually, that is not true. In fact, the word "Democrat" is the proper noun for someone in the Democratic party. However, someone in the Republican party is called a "Republican," not a "Republic."
Seeker, actually proper use for the term is as follows:

Party Affiliation: Democrat
Group of Dems: Democrats
The actual party: Democratic Party
When in control of Congress: Democratic Congress or Democratic Majority

These are very specific and long standing terms when referring to the Democratic party just as there are equivalents for the GOP.
The specific target of the "slur" has been in the case of item 3 & 4 above substituting Democrat for Democratic. This originated from a strategy coined by Karl Rove (need to find source again) and uttered by GW Bush on numerous occasions over the last 3 years.
It has been said when the President was asked about it, that it was a slip of the tongue. I will buy that once or twice with a slip, but constantly and consistently over the last few years? No way (unless he is learning impaired–which I don't think he is).
This has happened as recently as Monday during Bush's comments about the emergency war spending bill where he effectively said that "the Democrat Congress must pass a clean bill that I can sign."
These "slips" happen every time he finds a move that either blocks what he is trying to do, an objection being raised, or he finds something he just doesn't like with the other party.
This Bushism has spread throughout the administration and has entered the lexicon of discussion phrases within Fox.
Now with Bush and his team what do you think is more likely:
A) He is totally ignorant of what he is doing (remember he has been asked about this slip numerous times over the last 3 years with each utterance)
B) He is learning impaired
C) Knows full well what he is doing and is doing this as a low blow jab against the other party?
Based upon the above options (as much as I hate to admit it), I would put forward C as the reality.
And before you go off and say that this is just me being a paranoid liberal…I am not offended by it. Actually, this is a smart political tactic to demean the other side in a very subtle way in the eyes of the American public and connote the idea that your political party is the only one that is making any progress and works within the Democratic system to get it done. Very smart indeed.
– Silver

Silver Hallide says:

See how silly this whole thing is?
Maybe it is silly. I didn't say I was offended did I? No, what I said was there a pretty defined terms when referring to political parties in this country.
And at a national level either Bush is brain impaired (cause he is annoyed by being asked about his slips every time it happens) or it is a conscious slur. One usually stops saying something like that or alters presentation when they get annoyed like that.
Maybe you didn't get the memo Aaron, but the last time I checked you weren't in a position of power with a loud voice that reaches 365 million Americans whenever you want to. So, while you may find it silly, I on the other hand find it interesting from a political strategy perspective and watching how it has permeated the media strategy of the current Administration.
And, yes, this is a strategy. I dare you to go back and find instances of this 8 years ago (or earlier) when Bush first came to power. I can tell you from my observations of political strategy over the last 15 years that it hasn't existed prior to Bush.
Please remember that I have a background in election strategy too. So the fact that this could be a communications stool is not that outlandish from where I sit (and no it is not a partisan seat that I am sitting on).
– Silver

Silver Hallide says:

Additionally, if you believe wikipedia, here is a reference on this whole topic:
This article refers to a political epithet; for information about the U.S. Democratic Party, see Democratic Party (United States)
Which, turns out has researched this fully and traces the use of this slur much further back by Republican leaders.

Cineaste says:

Stupid Repuglicans.

Aaron says:

Again, if they want to get offended about it. They should change their domain name. It is absolutely childlike to be offended by someone referring to a Democrat as a Democrat.
My title is completely correct. The candidates are members of the Democratic party, therefore they are Democrat candidates.
As to the Wikipedia entry, it was very interesting, but it also gave other explanations besides it being an intentional slur.
It has gone beyond insane if using the term Democrat is offensive. If that is the case, they are practically admitting failure. Many already run away from the term liberal, while most Republicans embrace the term conservative. Now they don't want to be called Democrat? There aren't many options left.
Again what does this say that we are debating using the word "Democrat" instead of any real issues, especially since this was a humor post linked to a quip by Jay Leno. Is it offensive to tell "members of the Democratic party" to stop being babies?

Louis says:

Oh, come off it, Aaron. You know full well just how important language in general and diction in particular can be!
"My title is completely correct. The candidates are members of the Democratic party, therefore they are Democrat candidates."
False. "Democrat" is a noun referring to a specific person (eg, Senator Clinton is a Democrat); "Democratic" is an adjective, modifying a noun (Senator Clinton is a candidate for the Presidency representing the Democratic Party). You wouldn't say that Sen. Clinton is a candidate for the Democrat party. Not only is it incorrect grammar, it's deliberately incorrect to make a point. Thus, your title above is incorrect as well: proper English would read "Leno on Democratic Candidates." You may be innocent of ulterior motives, but you should be aware of the controversy.

danielg says:

False. “Democrat” is a noun referring to a specific person
As the wikipedia entry mentioned, this use of a noun to modify a noun, such as in the word “school bus” is becoming common usage, so there’s more at play here than political slurs.

Aaron says:

Silver, I expected Cineaste to be in here explaining why "members of the Democratic party" should be avoiding a Fox News debate. I expected a debate on various issues raised by Leno's satire – "members of the Democratic party" being soft on terrorism, afraid of a fight, etc.
I did not expect a debate on grammer or rather I using some code language sent out by Karl Rove.

Silver Hallide says:

I hate it when you say full stop, as if that's the end of the argument.
It's not the end of an argument. It merely connotes the extent of what I am trying to convey. Go ahead and argue.
As for your calling me that word…see, I can now point to a comment where your use of slang is even lower than what you called me on for the use of "rocks" elsewhere. >:)