The donkey and elephant became political symbols in the ... His opponents labeled him a "jackass" (a donkey) because of his populist views and stubborn personality. Rather than reject the label ...

which is perhaps why the Democrats got saddled with a jackass as a popular symbol (the party has never officially adopted it), while the Republicans got the large and relatively noble elephant ...

Despite being called "jackass" by his rivals ... The origin of the Republican elephant's story is also linked to Nast's artistic skills. Although the elephant had been depicted as a representation ...