I've watched with some amusement the R political machine use the Luntz philosophy on framing the debate by controlling the vocabulary. Now even Joe Lieberman is using the phrase "Democrat Party" in an email message sent in support of John McCain.

"Democrat Party" is a childish partisan slight used by the other major American political party, displaying the intentional slight by mispronouncing the name of their adversary. Noted in Hendrik Hertzberg's New Yorker article in August 2006, "The 'IC' Factor", there's a long history of this silliness.

I know that it make sense to just ignore this and let that group sound illiterate (a tactic they've used to good advantage) but it's a pretty persistent behavior. So, perhaps it is more fun to play the game with them.

In an earlier bout of concern I may have suggested a vulgar-sounding term for that party that was more reflective of Senator McCain's own vocabulary as exhibited toward his wife. Older and wiser now, I have another idea: Henceforth I shall encourage use of the term "Publican Party" when referring to the party of Lincoln.

This term, Publican (usable either with or without a leading apostrophe,) is a construct parallel to the two-letter "ic" elision. It sounds appropriately simple and anti-intellectual. And best of all, the word itself refers to outsourcers of public services, as well as tavernkeepers, bartenders, and pimps. What could be more appropriate!

Let me introduce to you John McCain, presidential candidate of George Bush's 'Publican Party.