Yellow-Dog Democrat [1]
Yellow-Dog Democrat
[2]"Yellow-Dog Democrat," a popular term sometimes applied to ultra-loyal supporters of Democratic [3]candidates for public office, came into use in the third decade of the twentieth century. In 1928 Democratic senator Tom Heflin [4] of Alabama supported Republican Herbert Hoover [5] in his campaign for the presidency. Heflin's detractors, in response to his defection, declared that they would vote for a "yellow dog" before they would cast a ballot for a Republican [6]. The term, used as both a compliment and an insult, has continued to appear in North Carolina political speech.
Additional Resources:
Wilson, Reid. "Death of the 'Yellow Dog' Democrat." National Journal. August 25, 2011. http://www.nationaljournal.com/columns/on-the-trail/death-of-the-yellow-dog-democrat-20110825 [7] (accessed September 18, 2012).
"Jim Long, Insurance Commissioner and NCPP Board Member, Receives Honors." NC Prevention Partners Changing Lives. Fall 2008. http://www.ncpreventionpartners.org/ncpp/Document/Download?id=fcbb6590-d3f5-410c-a574-a644e418a0e6 [8] (accessed September 18, 2012).
"Democrats to honor Charles Malone." The Clayton News-Star. July 12, 2012. http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/07/21/2212953/club-notes.html [9] (accessed September 18, 2012).
Image Credits:
"HEFLIN, James Thomas, (1869 - 1951)." Image from the Biographical Dictionary of the United States Congress. http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=H000446 [2] (accessed September 18, 2012).
1 January 2006 | Isenbarger, Dennis