How much do you know about the political map colors used?

LTC Stephen F. — Sun, 09 Apr 2017 16:49:57 -0400

I had been curious about the colors used in political maps which seem to have been decided upon long before the personal computers were widely available and after color TV became common.
During the 1960s black and white images predominated and we were amid the Cold War. Red was associated with the left stemming from the USSR and Red China among others.
“There's nothing about the color assignations which are unchangeable, of course. We could just as easily use orange and green, but for the fact that red and blue offer much more contrast (and therefore are good for television).”
“The 1976 NBC map, which was a huge, physical map constructed of wood and plastic. When they practiced lighting up the bulbs, the plastic started to melt, requiring the installation of giant air conditioners.”
Images: 1976 ABC Election Map; 1976 NBC Election Map; 1984 Election Map

a. Red was assigned to the republicans and blue to the democrats by a coin toss after color TV was widely available.
b. Red was color non-grata in American politics in the 1960s and 1970s, thanks to the Cold War. Red, and was associated with the Soviet Union, and with left-leaning parties internationally. NBC kept using red-for-Democrats, blue-for-Republicans until at least 1984.
c. The colors have been standard since the 1988 election with red for republicans and blue for democrats.
d. Both B and C are correct. Red did indicate left leaning until 1980s and was standardized as republican by 1988

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Apr 9 at 2017 4:54 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Sun, 09 Apr 2017 16:54:21 -0400

I learned that the color selections of red and blue provided great contrast on TV and that is why the networks stuck with those colors. Red was frequently associated with liberal so the democrats had the color until it stabilized in 1988 with red for republican an blue for democrat.
Of course the colors could change again or become nonstandard in a post-modern world if relativism gains a lot of traction.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 9 at 2017 5:39 PM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 09 Apr 2017 17:39:58 -0400

The liberal media swapped the colors to make an assumed connection between the Republican party and the soviet union and communist china's flag color. Reagan was well known to speak of shrinking government which is the exact opposite of the practiced politics in the communist countries. You can see it today how well it worked with the left falsely calling conservatives fascists knowing that conservatives are still touting smaller government with a reduction in the fifth estate, bureaucracy.

Response by SFC William Farrell made Apr 9 at 2017 6:59 PM

SFC William Farrell — Sun, 09 Apr 2017 18:59:14 -0400

Thanks LTC Stephen F. ford, interesting look at things.

Response by Maj Marty Hogan made Apr 9 at 2017 7:50 PM

Maj Marty Hogan — Sun, 09 Apr 2017 19:50:32 -0400

I guess I have never put that mich thought into it LTC Stephen F. I learned something today though