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The reference, "yellow dog Democrat," is "an unswerving party loyalist" according to political lexicologist William Safire. Although not simply a yellow canine but the moniker alludes to a "cur" or a mongrel. Thus, the title references a surly or cowardly fellow. But the term never was considered any kind of stock pejorative.
The name caught on in the South and was used as a compliment. First used by party loyalists after Sen. Tom Heflin (D-Ala.) refused to support his fellow Democrat Al Smith, Governor of New York, in the 1928 presidential election. Instead Sen. Heflin supported Herbert Hoover's candidacy. Southern Democrats disgusted by Sen. Helflin's decision observed that they would "vote for a yellow dog if he ran on the Democratic ticket." Thus, a "yellow dog Democrat" was was adopted as the proud slogan of the staunch party loyalist as it was said that a Southern voter would vote for a mangy yellow dog before he/she would vote for a Republican.
DemDogs The Home of Politically Active Pets
The reference, "yellow dog Democrat," is "an unswerving party loyalist" according to political lexicologist William Safire. Although not simply a yellow canine but the moniker alludes to a "cur" or a mongrel. Thus, the title references a surly or cowardly fellow. But the term never was considered any kind of stock pejorative.
The name caught on in the South and was used as a compliment. First used by party loyalists after Sen. Tom Heflin (D-Ala.) refused to support his fellow Democrat Al Smith, Governor of New York, in the 1928 presidential election. Instead Sen. Heflin supported Herbert Hoover's candidacy. Southern Democrats disgusted by Sen. Helflin's decision observed that they would "vote for a yellow dog if he ran on the Democratic ticket." Thus, a "yellow dog Democrat" was was adopted as the proud slogan of the staunch party loyalist as it was said that a Southern voter would vote for a mangy yellow dog before he/she would vote for a Republican.
DemDogs The Home of Politically Active Pets