n. A politician — particularly one who is a member of the United States Democratic Party — who talks about energy conservation but who owns and drives a fuel-inefficient sport utility vehicle.
2001
Not to her great credit, U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein owns a gas-guzzling SUV, even though she believes in global warming and doesn't want to drill in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. In fact, last year the Los Angeles Times reported that she owned three SUVs. Which makes her your perfect 'SUV Democrat.'
2001 (earliest)
There are important differences in other areas. The former president opposed drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Mr. Bush — all bow — supports drilling in the refuge, even if that offends the sensibilities of Bay Area SUV Democrats.
Four-wheel drive is increasingly popular. A decade ago, about the only U.S.-made '4 by 4's,' as the industry calls them, were Jeeps and International Harvester's Scouts. Today every truck manufacturer offers four-wheel drive not only on sports utility vehicles but also on pickups — where it is a more and more common option — and suburbans as well.