When El Estoque asked what ‘GOP’ stood for, students came up with a variety of creative responses. Out of 100 responders, only 15 knew that GOP is the abbreviation for “Grand Old Party,” known more commonly as the Republican Party.
The GOP was formed in the 1850s when it split from the Democratic Party because its members felt that the Democrats were not representing their beliefs. After the Civil War, the party was dubbed the “Gallant Old Party,” which was later changed to the “Grand Old Party,” a term which is used throughout American politics. For the 2012 presidential election, the GOP has nominated Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts as its candidate for President of the United States.
