The Democratic Symbol Essay -- Politics Government Symbolism Essays

The Democratic Symbol The word â€Å"donkey† has come to have a negative connotation in today’s society. In Webster’s Handy College Dictionary, the definition for a donkey is â€Å"an ass† or â€Å"a stupid or obstinate person†. One would presume that with such a meaning, the Democratic Party, one of the main political parties in the United States, would not be associating itself with such a negative symbol. The first use of the â€Å"donkey† as the Democratic symbol occurred during Andrew Jackson’s run for president in 1828. Because of his populist views and the slogan, â€Å"Let the people rule†, his opponents tried to label him as a â€Å"jackass†, but Jackson used the name-calling and turned it into his advantage by placing the donkey on his campaign posters (The Democratic). Since its first application in 1828 the â€Å"donkey† is a symbol that is now clearly associated with the Democratic Party. This association is present because the attributes that complement this symbol are some of the many attributes that characterize and define the Democratic Party. Although the masses might view the â€Å"donkey† as a representation of something stupid, or silly, the Democratic Party, on the other hand, has come to view the â€Å"donkey† as a symbol that stands for intelligence, courage, and humility (The Democratic). One of many important characteristics that define the Democratic Party is its member’s ability to solve issues that affects the party or the nation in an intelligent manner. This ability came into play on October 29, 1929, at the start of the Great Depression (â€Å"New Deal†). The inherent instability of the market brought about the Great Depression in 1929, and to resolve this instability, government intervention was necessary t... ...eal.† Wikipedia. 22 Nov. 2004. . Robinson, Dan. â€Å"108th U.S. Congress Nears End of Its Term.† Voice of America. 22 Nov. 2004, Washington, D.C. 22 Nov. 2004. . Rosembaum, David E. â€Å"As standoff ends, Clinton is seeking the high ground†. New York Times. 21 Nov. 1995, New York, NY: A1. ProQuest. George Mason University, Fenwick Library. 22 Nov. 2004. Stinnett, Ronald F. Democrats, Dinners, & Dollars: A History of the Democratic Party, its Dinners, its Rituals. Ames, IA: The Iowa State University Press, 1967. â€Å"The Democratic Donkey.† DNC: The Democratic National Committee. 14 Nov. 2004. . The President, The Public, and The Parties. Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly Inc., 1997: 30.