Democratic Governor of Kentucky
“Democrat Governor” is what Republicans say, outside of Congress, when they want to be assholes.
At the risk of being pedantic: The adjective is “Democratic.” The noun is “Democrat.” Using the noun-form for the adjective is pejorative. Republicans know they are doing it when they are doing it. In formal settings, or when Democrats present, you’ll never hear them do it. Once you’re attuned to it, the pejorative never goes unnoticed, and Republics know this.
Well, “Demoncrat” is just outright namecalling. What’s so insidious about Democrat/Democratic, is that it appears so innocuous and they can always look at you blankly if you correct them. It’s a “What? I’m not touching you. Mommy, I’m not touching him!”– as their finger is inches from your face.
There’s nothing inherently “good” or “bad” either Democrat or Democratic, it’s just all about context. The same way using “Jew” [used as an adjective] is pejorative if it’s used where “Jewish” would be correct.
Well… I thought it possible you’d erred honestly. The epithet is getting so common, MSNBC talking heads not infrequently mix it up.
As someone who is unnaturally triggered by this, I want it to happen, but I dont think it will. Republicans are just too good at their ability to sneer when they say it. As a Republican, you don’t just say “Democrat Governor”; you have to say “Democrat Governor.” If/when Democrats should start adopting the usage, it will just add to their glee, that Democrats themselves are using the GOP’s own dogwhistles.
Nothing would have pleased me more than for someone like Harry Reid (D-NV) to have done this.
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