This new map reflects the Red & Blue states from the 2004 election. Reverse side shows the Pre-Civil War Free & Slave States, which almost exactly reflect the boundaries of the 2004 election. Quote on front reads, "As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned with a downright moron." --H.L. Mencken (1880-1956) Published in England. Very popular postcard, even after more recent elections. The following information is NOT printed on this card: The terms red states and blue states came into use in 2000 to refer to those states of the United States whose residents predominantly vote for the Republican Party or Democratic Party presidential candidates, respectively. A blue state tends to vote for the Democratic Party, and a red state tends to vote for the Republican Party. Since 2000, usage of the term has been expanded to differentiate between states being perceived as liberal and those perceived as conservative. This unofficial system of political colors used in the United States is the reverse of that in most other long-established democracies, where blue represents right-wing and conservative parties, and red represents left-wing and social democratic parties. Political humor.