The Republican use of "Democrat" Party came about decades ago, not because "Democrat" is a bad word but rather because "Democratic" was such a good word. Republicans didn't want people to confuse "Democratic" with "democratic," which has positive connotations. "Democrat" can only refer to the political party, but "democratic" can refer to a form of government that our nation supports around the world. So Republicans avoided "Democratic" and said "Democrat."
By it being reduced to a term to refer only to a political party--a party that for the last 35-40 years has been viewed with significant disfavor--the adjective "Democrat" has come to have negative connotations. This is much like what has happened to the term "liberal," and thus now the libs want to be called "progressives."
Notice that over the last couple decades, in most political advertising, Democrats never identify themselves as Democrats, and in their message they want to sound conservative.
Thank you very much for such a great explanantion. It makes sense, I suppose, but it is certainly nothing to get your panties in a bunch about. Is this the biggest problem facing these crazy DUmmies today? If so, they are very lucky.
Can anyone explain to me why they view it as such an insult?
Im not so sure they really think its an insult. I think its a clever ruse to divert us from using the term they really hate : LIBERALS