Quote:
Originally Posted by finnbow
Given the GOP's racist proclivities and tactics (e.g., the Southern Strategy, Willie Horton ...), Obama and the Dems would be guilty of political malpractice if they didn't highlight it.
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The Southern Strategy racial connection no longer seems relevant. Perhaps, there are other reasons for the South turning towards the GOP just as there might be something other than perceived racism that turned the black voter away from the GOP. An obvious reason would be the rise of Christian Fundamentalism during the seventies coupled with the democratic appetite for secularization of public, or at least open political, life. Whether or not this was good doesn't negate that there was an interaction between the two. On the other front, a succession of democratic congresses continued to create more and more programs to help the poor. Sadly, a high percentage of blacks were in the group benefitting from these programs. The dynamic here in California with our large hispanic population may shed some light on the matter in the near future. My point is that there is more going on than some nefarious racist plot perpetrated by republicans 30-40 years ago.