I think bow ties are coming back as "geek chic" just like those big horned rimmed glasses that every pundit seems to be wearing these days. I will say this--my boys and their friends all wore bow ties with their tuxes to prom this year. In the past most of the boys wore regular solid color ties and a vest with their tuxedo jacket, but bow ties are evidently becoming all the rage. Still--I don't see my husband putting one on with his basic gray business suits any time in the near future.
I don't think this is a democrat thing.