AHC: Different Democratic Party Mascot

[John Fredrick Parker]

How can the Democrats avoid getting stuck with the donkey as their unofficial mascot, preferably getting a cooler one? For example, could the Tammany Tiger have survived and become the national party's symbol?

[Emperor Norton I]

The Rooster was an early symbol.

[MadMaper 13]

WHY THE FUCK do party's need a mascot. there not sporting team's and the like?

[John Fredrick Parker]

The Rooster was an early symbol.

Oh man... I didn't think any symbol could be more humiliating than a donkey..

WHY THE FUCK do party's need a mascot. there not sporting team's and the like?

Well, in practice its mostly just common shorthand for political cartoons; still...

[Socrates]

How's it humiliating? I think it's a fairly good metaphor for the hard-beaten working man.

[John Fredrick Parker]

^^I can't really think of an example in popular culture where the Donkey is presented with respect -- pity (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Au_Hasard_Balthazar) maybe, but never respect; their combination of being stubborn and yet still, at the end, a beast of burden, doesn't end up a desirable symbol. If you want a beast of burden who gets dignity, there's always the horse...

[Wolfpaw]

Technically, the Dems' logo isn't a donkey, but rather a jackass due to Andrew Jackson constantly being referred to by the latter.

The Tammany Tiger was created as a symbol of Democratic corruption and greed, so it probably won't stick around...

I could see perhaps a ram or a dog of some sort.


Horse is a good idea.

[Thande]

^^I can't really think of an example in popular culture where the Donkey is presented with respect -- pity (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Au_Hasard_Balthazar) maybe, but never respect; their combination of being stubborn and yet still, at the end, a beast of burden, doesn't end up a desirable symbol. If you want a beast of burden who gets dignity, there's always the horse...

What about the Bible? You've got Balaam's ass, then there's the one Mary rode to Bethlehem, Jesus rode on on into Jerusalem to fulfil the prophecy about the messiah appearing on one, etc...

It's certainly no more silly than the Republicans being represented by an animal that isn't even present in America outside zoos.

[mrmandias]

The mascots were generated by Thomas Nast, who was intending to satirize the parties. So there's no real way to get a 'cooler' mascot. Just different varieties of ridiculous.

That's why the GOP elephant isn't really a noble beast but kind of a fat dope. Just like with the donkey, the intent is not to flatter.

[John Fredrick Parker]

^^Wasn't Nast a committed Republican?

What about the Bible? You've got Balaam's ass, then there's the one Mary rode to Bethlehem, Jesus rode on on into Jerusalem to fulfil the prophecy about the messiah appearing on one, etc...

Hadn't thought of Baleman's Ass; but otherwise, that's more people riding donkeys than donkeys themselves (examples to my mind are Eyore, the boys in Pinochio, etc). Also, the donkey is a common insult (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donkey#Insult_and_vulgarity).

At Elephant, by contrast -- well, nobody fucks with an elephant...

[Socrates]

^^I can't really think of an example in popular culture where the Donkey is presented with respect -- pity (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Au_Hasard_Balthazar) maybe, but never respect; their combination of being stubborn and yet still, at the end, a beast of burden, doesn't end up a desirable symbol. If you want a beast of burden who gets dignity, there's always the horse...

Isn't that the whole point? "The working man has a tough, physical life, and doesn't get enough dignity. No one else represents him, but we do."

[mrmandias]

At Elephant, by contrast -- well, nobody cucks with an elephant...

Cucks? If wikipedia is to be believed, one of the original Nast cartoons was a turgid elephant lumbering in terror from a donkey wearing a lion skin.

If you think the GOP's elephant is a respectful, noble mascot, you're out of your mind. or a Democrat. But I repeat myself.

--
btw, the reason Christ rode an ass into Jerusalem was that the ass was the symbol of the Davidian monarchy.

[Wolfpaw]

btw, the reason Christ rode an ass into Jerusalem was that the ass was the symbol of the Davidian monarchy.20 shekels says they had this exact same "Why the hell would we pick a donkey?" debate back then :p

[JJDXB]

Oh man... I didn't think any symbol could be more humiliating than a donkey..



The Rooster (close enough) is to France what the lion is to England.

It's on a few of their sporting uniforms (primarily Rugby) ;)

[Plumber]

Avoid Jackson being President. *Nast picks a different animal.
Nast was a Republican, but not a party hack. He later became a Mugwump and probably got Cleveland elected.

[Catmo]

The Bible is full of ass-riders. Balaam rode an invisible angel detecting talking ass. David rode an ass. Mary rode an ass. And Jesus rode asess too.

[tallwingedgoat]

I've got to sig this.