Johnson was right -- the Democratic Party did lose the South (for more than a generation, even) -- but the strategy also shackled Republicans with a reputation that is alive and kicking today: they're still the party of ugly racists. And it's not just that the party is still winning because of those ignorant rednecks. Many of the leaders of the party themselves are racists, and they can't seem to wean themselves from the politics of division and divisiveness. That's why last week, Denny Hastert had to give up on an attempt to renew the Voting Rights Act. Republicans don't just use racism to get people to the polls. They actually welcome racists into the party and encourage their hateful behavior. Which makes me wonder... how many generations is it going to take for Republicans to recover from their Southern Strategy?
3 comments:
I know you know that there are plenty of Republicans who want nothing to do with the racism that has indeed infiltrated their party.
That said, take a look at this post as it contains live textbook examples of just the phenomenon you mention.
"My conservative grandfather was once a Democrat who voted for Strom Thurmond and George Wallace for the Presidency-he became a rock-ribbed Republican when the Democrats sold out in full, and so it was with all of us."
"Sold out in full"? Whatever would that mean? But hey, with a title like "In defense of Stacey Campfield," what would one expect?
You're right -- I know there are plenty of Republicans who are good people (including some actual friends and family of yours truly!), but here's the thing: none of them ever raise their voices in protest when candidates make their slimy little pilgrimages to Bob Jones University, or when John McCain put his tail between his legs and slithered over to Jerry Falwell's Liberty "University." They're perfectly happy to accept the votes and the money of racists, so they can hardly complain when they get painted with the same brush as the people with whom they cozy up. Until they actually do something about the racists in their ranks, they'll be stuck with their long-nurtured legacy of racism.
I am presuming you belong to the liberal thought. Republicans win because of vicious garbage put out by the likes of you. Get over it. Normal people are not red necks. If there are any dumb ones, they certainly hang out with blind insufferable fools like the left leaning goonks.
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