Tim Russert and Red State Blue State

[Sam Clements]

And, I guess I just found the article in the WaPo that spawned this bit of
Urban Legend.

 A 2 November 2004 article, by one Paul Farhi, says it originated on the NBC
"Today" show in 2000.  He searched "news transcripts since 1980."  Way to
go, Paul. :)

Sam Clements

----- Original Message -----
From: "Sam Clements" <SClements at NEO.RR.COM>
To: <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
Sent: Friday, June 13, 2008 5:23 PM
Subject: Tim Russert and Red State Blue State


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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