[Cboldt]

Donner Party...
I don't remember when it was first used/started.... May have been back in the CA Gov. Race as nopardons says.

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

[nopardons]

Many thanks for doing all the scut work, posting it with links, and being so pleasant about it all.

BRAVO and a tip of my hat to you. :-)