Tim Russert and Red State Blue State

[Sam Clements]

Almost everyone, no matter their political persuasion, morns the untimely death today of Tim Russert.

Many stories on the Web suggest that the Washington Post credits him with "coining" the 'red state' 'blue state' designation..  For the life of me, I can't find that, searching the WaPo.

Ben Zimmer properly offered the original usage of "red state/blue state" from 1908.

http://listserv.linguistlist.org/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0501A&L=ADS-L&P=R9102&I=-3

Sam Clements

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