First, let me say that I share all your concerns over this red blue thing, and for all the same reasons. Liberalism used to mean the exact opposite too....sometimes language just gets all too screwed up. This is the case here.
Now as for the history, for whatever reason, as a young pup, I was watching Dan Rather talk about returns in the 1988 primary season....as George Bush was pulling away from Pat Buchanan etc....HW Bush that is....and the states Bush was winning were in red. Rather said, and for whatever sick reasons I remember, “George Bush’s big red machine rolls on”.....
(now don’t ask me where I left my car keys and wallet this morning, I’ve no idea, but I remember this....)
From the primary season, the 88 general started the red state/blue state designation. Then the maps....and the rest is history.....
I really have no idea how I remember that, or WTF I was doing watching CBS.....for that matter.
>> Rather said, and for whatever sick reasons I remember, “George Bush’s big red machine rolls on” <<
A most interesting history lesson. Thanks!