@floatybirb I think it would be The Blessed Virgin Mary or St. Patrick who were the choice of Italian and Irish Catholics for a Roman Catholic holiday to put on the calendar - a campaign promise from FDR to Catholic workers in 1936. He chose Columbus instead because that choice faced less push back from Southern Yellow Dog Democrats who were also an important part of the '36 Dem coalition.
@floatybirb depends on where in the south one if from. Either way it comes from the phrase "I'd rather vote for an old Yeller / Blue dog than support a carpetbagger Republican."