I have wondered about this. I'm sure we learned about it in school at some point. I have forgotten what it represented. It all seems a little silly what ever it means.
2007-09-22 10:30:45 · 3 answers · asked by Mrs. B 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Government
Great question. I saw the actual answer on the History channel maybe 2 years ago, but darn if I can remember. So here's what I've made up.
Democrats want to keep trying the same failed solutions over and over again. They're stubborn like a donkey.
Republicans have a memory of what's worked before or not, and of history, thus they are like an elephant.
2007-09-22 10:37:11 · answer #1 · answered by Uncle Pennybags 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
There are 2 popular references - one to Andrew Jackson adopting the donkey symbol after being called a 'jackass' and another to a political cartoon in mid-late 1800's by cartoonist named Thomas Nast. The elephant was timid and foolish and the donkey was kind of bullying and deceitful. Spin has made them look a little different, but neither symbol was originally a compliment! See the cartoon: http://www.c-span.org/questions/images/thomasnast.jpg
2007-09-22 10:50:54 · answer #2 · answered by Dee49 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Democrats were making fun of republicans, calling them stupid big elephants.
Republicans were making fun of demos, calling them stubborn stupid donkeys.
The republicans thought "Elephants are wise, graceful beings..."
The democrtas thought "Donkeys are strong, fast, useful..."
And so they stuck
That is, at least, what I learned lol
2007-09-22 10:39:24 · answer #3 · answered by Sara For Life 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋