Donner Party...
Donner Party has been used over time to represent even the democrat party I think. I don't remember when it was first used/started.... May have been back in the CA Gov. Race as nopardons says.
I didn't originate the concept but remembered it being used from some other post back when.... but can't tell you when 'back when' was and I'm not going searching for it.... I did use it in the context of the GOP splitting the party during the Miers fiasco but don't claim it to be original to me. I do think it's appropriate at times... so be it.
See Post 648, just above. Of course there can be "multiple independent authors" of such a short phrase as "Donner Party" and concept of associating that phrase with a political party.
The earliest reference I found so far is in exactly that venue.
Seems to be a favorite phrase of one Mr. Mulholland.
Backers of the drive to oust Gov. Gray Davis descended on the state Capitol Saturday for a boisterous celebration, as four potential candidates sought to tie up their support in advance of the Oct. 7 recall election. ...The state's major Democratic officeholders have closed ranks behind Davis and say they will not run. State Democratic Party spokesman Bob Mulholland, who attended Saturday's rally, said the potential Republican candidates were "in a circle of shotguns."
"This'll be the Donner party of the 21st Century," he predicted.
Recall supporters, potential candidates descend on Sacramento
Potential candidates press flesh at Capitol
By Erica Werner - ASSOCIATED PRESS
Saturday, July 26, 2003