Focus on the Democratic Party
04 November 2008 à 16h11
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The Democratic Party is the oldest political party in the United States. It was founded by Thomas Jefferson and opponents of the Federalists in 1792. But the modern Democratic Party really developed in the 1830s. It has consistently positioned itself to the left of the Republican Party. The party is strongly influenced by the philosophy of Franklin D. Roosevelt, the most famous Democrat president (1933-1945).
The Democrat base consists of a large number of well-educated and working class people. It is the nation’s largest party. In 2004, 72 million Americans were registered Democrats. The Democratic Party, once dominant in the Southeastern USA, is now strongest in the Northeast and on the Pacific Coast.
The image of the Democratic party is bound to some of the party's major personalities. First and foremost, Franklin D. Roosevelt, was elected four times. He still personifies the economic platform of the Democratic party, with his launch of the New Deal. Then, obviously, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, the youngest president ever elected, the first catholic, assassinated in 1963. He is still one of the most popular figures of the XXth century. The most recent Democrat president is Bill Clinton, in charge between 1992 and 2000. Clinton was described as a New Democrat and was largely known for the Third Way philosophy of governance and the fact he eliminated the deficit.
The most common symbol of the party is the donkey. The party never officially adopted this symbol but has made use of it. Some say, the donkey comes from the nickname of Andrew Jackson, labeled « a jackass » by his opponents, during the presidential race of 1828. A political cartoon depicting Jackson riding and directing a donkey was published in 1837. In the early 20th century, the symbol of the party was the rooster. This symbol still appears on ballots in Oklahoma, Kentucky, Indiana and West Virginia.
Since election night 2000, the color blue has become the color identified with the Democratic Party. That night, for the first time, all major broadcast television networks used the same color for the electoral map. It’s confusing for non-American observers, because blue is the traditional color of the right and red of the left.
The song « Happy Days Are Here Again » is the unofficial song of the Democratic Party. It was used when Franklin D. Roosevelt was nominated for president in 1932. It remains a sentimental song for Democrats today. More recently, the U2 song « Beautiful Day » also became one of the favorite theme songs for Democratic candidates.
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/SESr9D5Gd7A&rel=0&fs=1" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/SESr9D5Gd7A&rel=0&fs=1</a>
The Democrat base consists of a large number of well-educated and working class people. It is the nation’s largest party. In 2004, 72 million Americans were registered Democrats. The Democratic Party, once dominant in the Southeastern USA, is now strongest in the Northeast and on the Pacific Coast.
The image of the Democratic party is bound to some of the party's major personalities. First and foremost, Franklin D. Roosevelt, was elected four times. He still personifies the economic platform of the Democratic party, with his launch of the New Deal. Then, obviously, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, the youngest president ever elected, the first catholic, assassinated in 1963. He is still one of the most popular figures of the XXth century. The most recent Democrat president is Bill Clinton, in charge between 1992 and 2000. Clinton was described as a New Democrat and was largely known for the Third Way philosophy of governance and the fact he eliminated the deficit.
The most common symbol of the party is the donkey. The party never officially adopted this symbol but has made use of it. Some say, the donkey comes from the nickname of Andrew Jackson, labeled « a jackass » by his opponents, during the presidential race of 1828. A political cartoon depicting Jackson riding and directing a donkey was published in 1837. In the early 20th century, the symbol of the party was the rooster. This symbol still appears on ballots in Oklahoma, Kentucky, Indiana and West Virginia.
Since election night 2000, the color blue has become the color identified with the Democratic Party. That night, for the first time, all major broadcast television networks used the same color for the electoral map. It’s confusing for non-American observers, because blue is the traditional color of the right and red of the left.
The song « Happy Days Are Here Again » is the unofficial song of the Democratic Party. It was used when Franklin D. Roosevelt was nominated for president in 1932. It remains a sentimental song for Democrats today. More recently, the U2 song « Beautiful Day » also became one of the favorite theme songs for Democratic candidates.
