Harry Dent was a real person. The last cohesive group left in the Republican base are the racists.

Hi Jane!

Good afternoon Jane!

I often wonder how many people in the Republican party have simply blocked out all memory of Southern Strategy, and how they manage to discount its lingering effects. Do they think it’s just a coincidence that GOP presidential candidates won’t go near the African American debates?

Hi Jane. I’d venture to say most republicans under 30 or 35 don’t even know about this.

Repubs are anti-woman, how can anyone not see that? Being a female repub is as silly as being a gay repub. Don’t support a group that hates you and wants to make your life miserable.

Best GOP 2008 logo I’ve seen yet.

appealing to the anti-woman and racist elements of the Republican base at the same time

A lot has been written about the metaphorics of woman as the dark continent ((Africa) to be conquered and colonized, and about woman as coded colony. The concept of “virgin” territory in mapmaking and geography also feeds this paradigm.

For starters, see Laura Kipnis, Ecstacy Unlimited.

Yeah, that logo is great!

Lee Atwater had to be dying of brain cancer to repudiate the Southern Strategy, so what’s that tell you? And I always wondered if his deathbed confession was heartfelt or if he was just worried about having to face whatever Hairy Thunderer he worshipped (if any) with a “clean” conscience.

Nixon’s Southern Strategy was borne of desperation to hold onto the White House when it was slipping away as Vietnam ground on, and perfected during the years of St. Ronnie (Philadelphia, MS anyone?) to ensure the republican base would always feel welcome in a place where the colors of well, white and “healthy tan” were the norm.

As the South becomes more “diverse” with it’s influx of “Yankees” and an immigrant workforce that just worries the shit out of these rednecks perhaps in a generation it might begin to change. Until then, it’s gonna be the breeding ground for more moronic politicians like Rudy! and Fredrick of Hollywood whose main goal is the low-hanging fruit of the Southern Voter who hates Everyone not inbred, ringent and racist.

Ooooooo….here’s a goody that should get fleshed out…McConnell and his earmarks for BAE!!!!

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/…..f-bribery/

Ronnie Ray-guns and Philadelphia, MS to open his campaign.

All the elected officials in the south who switched to the Republican Party because “I didn’t leave the Democratic Party, it left me” starting with Strom Thurmond on through Trent Lott, Phil Gramm, John Connally, Richard Shelby. Hell, IIRC, even the Bugman and the Newt were originally Democrats.

Southern strategy:

In American politics, the Southern strategy refers to the focus of the Republican party on winning U.S. Presidential elections by securing the electoral votes of the U.S. Southern states.

(snip)

From 1948 to 1984 the Southern states, traditionally a stronghold for the Democrats, became key swing states, providing the popular vote margins in 1960, 1968 and 1976. During this era, several Republican candidates expressed support for states’ rights, which was a signal of opposition to federal civil rights legislation for blacks.[4]

A little more:

The southern strategy was used during the 1988 election, during the Willie Horton controversy. It has been used as recently as the 2000 election. During this election, a push poll suggested to conservative Republican South Carolina primary voters that primary opponent John McCain had fathered an “illegitimate black child.”[12]

(Same link as my 12.)

dakine01 @ 11

Ronnie Ray-guns and Philadelphia, MS to open his campaign.

All the elected officials in the south who switched to the Republican Party because “I didn’t leave the Democratic Party, it left me” starting with Strom Thurmond on through Trent Lott, Phil Gramm, John Connally, Richard Shelby. Hell, IIRC, even the Bugman and the Newt were originally Democrats.

Though not from the South: Giuliani, Coleman, and Bloomberg were also Dems who became Repugs. Bloomberg is now an “Independent.”

Everytime I read the reasoning regarding the Racist South missing is my impression why the south remains racist.

The lingering aftermath of white supremists is hard for them to g ive up. They LOVE being superior and will not tolerate moving over lest they look in the mirror and see themselves for what they are “bullies” and hatemongers, its in their genes. I worked for a southern based company for many years, it never ceased to amaze me how shallow the roots are of their families. Speak of Grandmas and Grandpas aunts uncles from previous generations. Speak of family traditions and values you will come up empty. There are few people who relate to ancestors, its all about “southern values” whatever that is. I think I’m right.

One of saddest aspects of Ghouliani’s mayorship for me as a NYCer was how the majority seemed content to overlook his racism. Previously I had thought the city was over that and was comfortable in its diversity. I think it’ll take more than a couple of generations for the South to get rid of it, if it is still not a candidate-killer in NYC.

It’s all about fear…”other” people are going to take what they have, and that breeds the hatred. The repukes are masters at manipulating the message. Reality is that their policies constantly result in everyone losing what they once had or could potentially have, so those that support those policies and indulge in the hatred, end up shooting themselves in the foot.

Rudy a Lefty? Yeah, Right.

By David Greenberg
Sunday, October 28, 2007; Page B01

You wouldn’t know it from reading the papers, but the favorite to win the Republican presidential nomination is a confirmed right-winger. On issues such as free speech and religion, secrecy and due process, civil rights and civil liberties, pornography and democracy, this moralist and self-styled lawman has exhibited all the key hallmarks of Bush-era conservatism.

That candidate is Rudolph W. Giuliani.

As any New Yorker can tell you, the last word anyone in the 1990s would have attached to the brash, furniture- breaking mayor was “liberal” — and the second-to-last was “moderate.” With his take-many-prisoners approach to crime and his unerring pro-police instincts, the prosecutor-turned-proconsul made his mark on the city not by embracing its social liberalism but by trying to crush it.

Somehow, though, Giuliani is being introduced to the rest of America as a liberal. And the people pinning the L-word on him aren’t just far-right spokesmen such as James Dobson or Richard Viguerie, to whom even the Bush administration looks squishily centrist. No, it’s supposedly objective journalists who’ve been using the label. ABC News reporter Jake Tapper recently spoke offhandedly about the mayor’s “liberal views on social issues.” Echoed NPR’s Mara Liasson: “Giuliani has liberal views on a number of social issues, including abortion.” On washingtonpost.com, political blogger Chris Cillizza referred to the mayor’s “liberal positions on social issues,” even though Giuliani supports only limited abortion rights and gay rights.

To a New Yorker, the idea of Rudy as a liberal or even a moderate is unreal, topsy-turvy — like describing George McGovern as a hawk or Pat Buchanan as a Zionist. The case for Giuliani’s moderation rests mainly on three overblown issues — guns, gay rights and abortion — and even in those cases, his deviation from conservative orthodoxy is far milder than is usually suggested.

The “social” and “cultural” issues that divide Americans encompass much more than guns, gay rights and abortion. They include state support of religion; the legitimacy of dissenting speech; the president’s right to keep information secret; the place of fair procedures in dispensing justice. The Bush administration’s hard-line stands on these matters have polarized the nation as much as the Iraq war has. And on these issues, Giuliani is just as hard-line as the man he’d like to succeed.

(more)

The very heart of his argument is a taboo notion: that the South votes Republican because the Republicans have perfected their appeal to Southern racism, and that Democrats simply can’t (and shouldn’t) compete.

Late to the post. However the above snippy is far from true in re Southern Dems, unfortunately.

from the same article as my #18:

When Bush ran for president, his slippery slogan of “compassionate conservatism” convinced many Washington journalists that he was a moderate. When he then pushed a right-wing agenda, they were stunned. They hadn’t looked hard enough at his record. Likewise, if Giuliani becomes president, he will probably emerge as an unabashed social conservative — as seen in his judicial appointments, his efforts to aid religious schools, the free hand he gives the government in fighting crime and terrorism, and an all-around authoritarian style. Let’s not get fooled again.

Yea, Jane, they are racists in and out of the closet. Look at Jena.

You nailed it.

I think we should let the south go, accept anyone who wants to relocate out and give them Bush and Cheney as a bonus.

the partisan impact of racial attitudes in the South is stronger today than in the past.”

Stronger today? I don’t think so. I can remember watching Senate Democrats filibustering Civil Rights legislation in the ’50’s and early ’60’s. In that time, Southern Politics was 100% racial; now maybe 80% and much less direct..they now use the dog whistle.

Racism is a problem throughout the country. The KKK has adherents in CT and Long Island. Lovely.

new thread. two authors.

I can’t believe you guys believe the stuff you write. Jo, Lee Atwater spanked the liberals silly in the 80’s. Since then, he has been demonized and referenced as a biggot, homophobe, sexist…all those nice words the libs tack to someone that doesn’t think like they do. There are political strategies for every political, economic, and social group out there. The dems have it just like the republicans do.

If you believe all southern pubs are racists,you really are living in a hole somewhere. Some of the nicest people I have met are from the south, and they all seem to help each other out. They have been black, white, rican, you name it, they are down there, all over. What is refered to in this blog is old news, even the south has moved past this.

Now compare this to people say from the CA bay area: San Fran and Berkley. I have literally seen them (about 85% of the pop there considers themselves to be liberal) walk over the same homeless guy for days on end while holding their Starbucks. So based off your logic, I can assume that all those people are racists as some of the homeless were black, and homelessophobes. You sure don’t see many helping hands there.

What Huckabee said is accurate, the white population in America has been on the decline for sometime, and this isn’t an anti-woman statement. Right now, we don’t have enough people to do the work the US requires. So what do we do, we bring people in from Mexico, India, all over just to fill these positions that we don’t have people for, or Americans arn’t qualified for (another hot issue I am sure). If you don’t believe me, look at the technical industry, the majority of our programers are now from India. These are all very high paying jobs that Americans should be taking. This doesn’t upset you guys??? Since 1973, most abortions have gone to middle-class white women. Right or wrong, those are the facts.

An interesting article, appears the black population has caught up with the white population (assuming this is accurate).

http://www.blackelectorate.com/articles.asp?ID=657

The thing that really struck me when I moved down south 30 years ago was the strong feeling about the military, and particularly the idea of military honor. I rarely see outbursts of racism in my home town, anywhere I go, nor do I see a lot of covert racism. I think the code of military honor is an important part of southern conservatism, combining deep respect for authority with love of tradition.Perhaps as the Republicans continue to disrespect the military, and to abuse the troops the South will be winnable.

There is also a deep love of religion. Within 1 mile of my house, there are no fewer than 12 Churches. Religion leads to less racism, but increases the conservative leanings of the people I know. Nashville is not necessarily a good test, as the city has always had moderate leadership, and the Churches here take Christianity seriously. Maybe it’s worse in other cities, or in the Country. The influence of religion is going to be interesting in the next election, since the R’s are running such an amoral crew, and the Dems have at least minimized that issue.

My gosh, if I’d known I would be echoing a troll, I would never have commented.

masaccio @ 27

My gosh, if I’d known I would be echoing a troll, I would never have commented.

Don’t ya just hate when that happens?

Huckabee’s solution is the obvious one if you’re racist and anti-labor, which of course are two major characteristics of the modern republican party. Another solution to this alleged ‘labor shortage’ might be to let the old ‘invisible hand’ of the market place respond to a shortage of supply by putting some money behind the ‘demand’ side…you know, actually paying people more. But as we know, this kind of thing only goes one way.

As for racism in America, I’m white, but I’ve spent a good part of my career as a professional musician travelling and working with African-Americans, and I live in a predominently black neighborhood in New Orleans. From my perspective, to argue that race is not a huge driving factor in American politics, particularly in the south, is absurd. Sure it’s ‘about class’ too. But if you peel away the facade, race is always at the back of it.

I actually tend to avoid white people in the south as much as I can, because there’s a very high probability that at some point, they are going to jump to conclusions about my own racial attitudes because of my color and start spouting racial invectives and intolerant opinions. Not everyone is like this of course, but there seems to be a much higher level of acceptance of this kind of thing among southern whites. They may ‘think’ it up north, but mostly they don’t say it.

And Kurt, are you questioning the veracity of Atwater’s statements? He was pretty clear about playing to southern bigots to win elections. Surely a guy who “spanked liberals silly in the 80s” wouldn’t waste his time on strategies that didn’t work. Next time, try checking for intellectual consistancy in your argument.

Jane,
Saw you this morning (PBS, greater NYC area) and it was great to see you!!! I watch Bonnie’s ‘To the Contrary’ every Sat. morning here and thought your previous participation was a one-time deal. I was thrilled that you were on again. I wish that you had gotten more time to speak, but I don’t know how these things are done; you showed your sardonic wit in your responses, and I was cheering for you. Thank you for all that you do; I, and I’m sure many others, are deeply grateful.

Kurt, where oh where would anyone get the idea that Lee Atwater strategized to appeal to Southern racists?

Let’s go to the tape:

Atwater: You start out in 1954 by saying, ‘Nig*er, nig*er, nig*er.’ By 1968 you can’t say ‘nig*er’ – that hurts you. Backfires. So you say stuff like forced busing, states’ rights and all that stuff. You’re getting so abstract now [that] you’re talking about cutting taxes, and all these things you’re talking about are totally economic things and a byproduct of them is [that] blacks get hurt worse than whites.

-GSD

http://gordonssite.tripod.com/id2.html

John, I guess I didn’t make my point. No I am not questioning what the strategy was. I was trying to point out that times have indeed changed, and racism isn’t accepted like it once was. I am not saying that it isn’t there, its just not like it was.

How is what the article stated racist and anti-labor? Again, most of the technological expertise in this country comes from people with visa’s & green cards. Thats an absolute fact. I am sure he wants to secure the boarder between Mexico and US. Is that was makes him a racist? It should be scaring the hell out of all of you that 1)limited people to do the work; and 2) the people that are there are not educated enough to take those jobs.

masaccio @ 26

There is also a deep love of religion.

It has always amazed me that deeply religious people would align themselves with Bush who obviously has only been pretending to be religious from day one.

Heh! I like Jane’s sticking that “anti-woman” statement in there to reference anti-abortionists. Not that I disagree in the slightest. I’ve always considered an accurate way to put the issue.

anyone come here from the book salon thread?

It’s not that the South is racist. There are racists everywhere. But there is a history in the south that gives the racists there a cohesiveness and an idealized self identity that is absent in other parts of the country where they are usually isolated and increasingly in the minority. In the south the stupid sons of bitches are still proud of it.

There is simply no denying, regardless of your political affiliation that as a voting block the racists in the south vote overwhelmingly Republican for all the cited historical reasons. That is just a statement of fact, and as was pointed out, when the rest of the base shrinks, as fewer and fewer people are willing to self identify as Republicans, this core of racists becomes an ever increasing fraction of the base.

Masaccio 26: Do you have authority for the proposition that more religion leads to less racism? I ask because the leaders of the Religious Right mostly cut their teeth opposing the “civil wrongs” movement and that, at the macro level the most racist and most religious part of the country has for 2 centuries been the South, for 1 century the least racist and religious the Pacific Northwest, which compared to the South did not know Jim Crow and lynch law.

My own suspicion is that religion and racism are often both neurotic dogmas (always re: racism, often re: religion), and the weakening of one may correlate to the weakening of the other.

Late to this party as usual.

The whole “fiscal conservative” dodge is a cover for the Southern Strategy. As we can see from Iraq, conservatives have no problems with spending money on projects designed to kill brown people or enrich white people. But when it comes to spending ANY tax money on anyone who isn’t white, they freak.

Mz. Hamsher, you stole my ‘Harumph’ . . .

*G*

Here is the real deal…. Democrats just don’t run in the south. Take South Carolina, my Congressman never ever has opposition. No one not in or out of his Scarlet R party ever challenges him. And he is THE PITS>
Then there is Lindsey Graham who thinks he won’t have opposition…… O Lindsey, Americans are lining up OPPOSITION