Years ago the Republicans were always, always portrayed as BLUE on national election maps and the Democrats were always portrayed as red.
In fact, several networks still had the Republicans as blue and Dems red during the 2000 election.
Somewhere between 2000 and 2004 the networks got together and decided that red is more harsh and would likely turn the public off to Democrats.
Not to mention that red stands for being communist, which the Dems can surely relate.
Seriously, I think this switch was made by network lib anchors who will do anything they can to try and put a better light on Democrats.
When I worked at P&G research ctr years ago while in college, I learned from one of the lifers there that in their test marketing of colors that "blue" was the color of "power." (Many of their cleaning products come in blue packaging; Tide, an exception, was packaged sort of orangish.)
Wish I knew what red was. It'd be interesting to compare.
I disagree. Red is "Hot and Alive". Blue is "Cold and Dead". The reversal of colors is entirely in line with the current state of socialism around the world (cold and dying) and the trend towards conservatism and the prosperity that accompanies classical liberal economic regimes (i.e., what the Democrats refer to as hard right ideology - - -LOL).
Let's see Republicans live up to the "Hot and Alive" implications of Red. Having defeated the 20th century "reds", what better way to seal the victory than take over and transform their "defining color"?
As for Blue, the Republicans should claim that back too.
"True Blue", "Blue Skies", and other measures of faithfulness and optimism.
Solution: let the Democrats have Yellow. A fair allocation of the primary colors, no?
Good point. When and BY WHOM EXACTLY was the color switch made to RED = REPUBLICANS and BLUE = DEMOCRATS.
THAT would be a fun fact to figure out!
I wonder if Dan Rather was involved? :-)
I consider myself a true blue American who votes Republican.
This site still uses red for RATs and blue for us.