Southern Strategy

For a broader discussion on the topic, see Civil Rights.

Southern Strategy
To deny their 200-year history of opposing civil rights, the Democrats claim that the parties conveniently switched sides after all the major civil rights legislation had been passed. However, on the face of it this is an absurd claim for clearly the Democrats remain the same party of big government socialism they were during the 1930s when Franklin D. Roosevelt was president, yet Republicans continued voting in higher percentages for civil rights legislation into the 1960s, including the 1957, 1960, and 1964 Civil Rights Acts, 1963 Equal Pay Act, and 1965 Voting Rights Act. In other words, it makes no sense to claim a party switch occurred prior to the 1930s, since the Democrats remain wedded to the same socialist programs FDR and LBJ created such as Social Security (1935) and Medicare/Medicaid (1965), yet it makes no sense to claim a party switch occurred prior to the 1970s, because Republicans were still voting in higher percentages for civil rights legislation into the 1960s.

The Nixon Years
The common claim for when a party switch occurred is the 1970s under Richard Nixon, whose political strategist, Strom Thurmond, had switched from the Democratic Party to the GOP. Nixon was successful in appealing to the previously Democrat South, and would go on to successfully win the presidency. The south, previously Democrat, turned Republican, and the north, previously Republican, turned Democrat, around the 1970s. However, as noted by broadcaster Bob Parks and historian Larry Schweikart, this was due to the impacts of the civil rights movement and desegregation. It was the next generation of young southerners who became Republicans; the old racist Democrats, and their descendants, overwhelmingly remained in the Democratic Party.

“The idea that 'the Dixiecrats joined the Republicans' is not quite true, as you note. But because of Strom Thurmond it is accepted as a fact. What happened is that the NEXT generation (post 1965) of white southern politicians — Newt, Trent Lott, Ashcroft, Cochran, Alexander, etc. — joined the GOP. So it was really a passing of the torch as the old segregationists retired and were replaced by new young GOP guys. One particularly galling aspect to generalizations about 'segregationists became GOP' is that the new GOP South was integrated for crying out loud, they accepted the Civil Rights revolution. Meanwhile, Jimmy Carter led a group of what would become 'New' Democrats like Clinton and Al Gore.”

-Larry Schweikart

Few Switched After the 1964 Civil Rights Act
Of the 112 racist Democrats who voted against the 1964 Civil Rights Act, only three of them switched parties afterwards. Had a major party switch by racist politicians occurred during the Nixon years, then more of those racist Democrats should have switched to the Republican Party. The only three that switched, John Jarman, Strom Thurmond, and Albert W. Watson were not enough to substantially change the party demographics when it comes to civil rights.

Democrats Today Linked to the Past
A number of the racist Democrat Senators who voted against the 1964 Civil Rights Act continued serving into the 1990s, including Charles E. Bennett (1993), Dante Fascell (1993), William Natcher (1994), Jamie Whitten (1995), Sam Gibbons (1997), and Robert Byrd (2010). Furthermore, Democrat politicians today remain inextricably linked to their racist predecessors.


 * Hillary Clinton: Hillary Clinton's mentor, Robert Byrd, was a former Ku Klux Klan leader and U.S. Senator who, at the time of his death in 2010 was the ranking U.S. Senator third in line for the U.S. presidency. Byrd voted against the 1964 Civil Rights Act while a U.S. Senator and even delivered one of the longest filibuster attempts in U.S. history attempting to stop the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, lasting 14 hours, yet Hillary Clinton eulogized him. The fact that the Democrats were led in the U.S. Senate by a former KKK leader who voted against the 1964 Civil Rights Act as late as 2010 shows they have not changed.
 * Al Gore: The father of Al Gore Jr., Al Gore Sr., was yet another of the racist Democrat U.S. Senators to have voted against the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Today's climate change activists are led by the son of a rabidly racist Democrat who opposed civil rights.
 * Bill Clinton: Bill Clinton's mentor, James William Fulbright, was another U.S. Senator who voted against the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Bill Clinton delivered his eulogy.
 * Elizabeth Johnston Patterson: Elizabeth Johnston Patterson is the current Chairwoman of the Spartanburg County Democratic Party, and served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1987-93. Her father, U.S. Senator Olin D. Johnston of South Carolina, was yet another of the racist Democrat U.S. Senators who voted against the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
 * Sam Ervin IV: Three generations of Democrat politicians, with the original descendant one of the U.S. Senators who voted against the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Sam Ervin IV currently serves in the North Carolina Supreme Court. His father, Sam Ervin III, was another Democrat appointed to the U.S. Court of Appeals by Democratic President Jimmy Carter and served until his death in 1999. And the grandfather, Sam Ervin Jr. was a U.S. Senator for the Democratic Party who opposed the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
 * Watkins Abbitt Jr.: Watkins Abbitt Jr. served until 2012 in the Virginia House of Delegates as a Democrat, and endorsed Democrat Terry McAuliffe in 2013 for Governor. His father, Watkins Abbitt Sr. voted against the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

Party Platforms
That the parties remain the same they always were is further evident from an analysis of their mid-1800s party platforms. Democrats have always been the anti-war party of labor unions opposed to civil rights, and have held close ties to the American Federation of Labor since the early 1990s. Republicans have always been the party of the military, banks, and business. Democrats have always advocated free trade whereas Republicans have historically been the party of tariffs and protectionism, positions which the parties maintain today. Republicans have always been for reduced spending and a gold standard.

Mid-1800s
Democrats at the time of the Civil War held many of the same positions they do today, as did Republicans.

Democrats
Democrats argued against a national bank as existing to benefit business. Democrats accused Republicans of "religious test[s]" designed to benefit Protestants against Catholics and immigrants. The crux of the argument for slavery was the same as that made today for abortion, that Congress has no right "to interfere with or control" the affairs of the states concerning slavery. Similarly Democrats today resist any federal legislation regulating abortion, and insist that it should be left to the states and the courts. They argued for "free seas and progressive free trade throughout the world" whereas Republicans have historically been the party in favor of tariffs and trade restrictions.

"1. That Congress has no power under the Constitution, to interfere with or control the domestic institutions of the several States, and that such States are the sole and proper judges of everything appertaining to their own affairs, not prohibited by the Constitution; that all efforts of the abolitionists, or others, made to induce Congress to interfere with questions of slavery, or to take incipient steps in relation thereto, are calculated to lead to the most alarming and dangerous consequences; and that all such efforts have an inevitable tendency to diminish the happiness of the people and endanger the stability and permanency of the Union, and ought not to be countenanced by any friend of our political institutions."

"7. That Congress has no power to charter a national bank; that we believe such an institution one of deadly hostility to the best interests of the country, dangerous to our republican institutions and the liberties of the people, and calculated to place the business of the country within the control of a concentrated money power, and above the laws and the will of the people; and that the results of Democratic legislation in this and all other financial measures upon which issues have been made between the two political parties of the country, have demonstrated to candid and practical men of all parties, their soundness, safety, and utility, in all business pursuits."

"And Whereas, Since the foregoing declaration was uniformly adopted by our predecessors in National Conventions, an adverse political and religious test has been secretly organized by a party claiming to be exclusively American, it is proper that the American Democracy should clearly define its relation thereto, and declare its determined opposition to all secret political societies, by whatever name they may be called, Resolved, That the foundation of this union of States having been laid in, and its prosperity, expansion, and pre-eminent example in free government, built upon entire freedom in matters of religious concernment, and no respect of person in regard to rank or place of birth; no party can justly be deemed national, constitutional, or in accordance with American principles, which bases its exclusive organization upon religious opinions and accidental birth-place. And hence a political crusade in the nineteenth century, and in the United States of America, against Catholic and foreign-born is neither justified by the past history or the future prospects of the country, nor in unison with the spirit of toleration and enlarged freedom which peculiarly distinguishes the American system of popular government."

"1. Resolved, That there are questions connected with the foreign policy of this country, which are inferior to no domestic question whatever. The time has come for the people of the United States to declare themselves in favor of free seas and progressive free trade throughout the world, and, by solemn manifestations, to place their moral influence at the side of their successful example."

Republicans
Republicans by contrast emphasized the inalienable, Creator-given rights to life and liberty, in opposing slavery "aided by perversions of judicial power," during the time of the Civil War. Republicans criticized Democrats for bureaucratic corruption and "systematic plunder of the public treasury by favored partisans" while urging a "return to rigid economy and accountability." In contrast to the Democrat platform that urged free trade, Republicans called for "duties upon imports... to encourage the development of the industrial interests of the whole country."

"2. That the maintenance of the principles promulgated in the Declaration of Independence and embodied in the Federal Constitution, "That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; that to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed," is essential to the preservation of our Republican institutions; and that the Federal Constitution, the Rights of the States, and the Union of the States must and shall be preserved."

"6. That the people justly view with alarm the reckless extravagance which pervades every department of the Federal Government; that a return to rigid economy and accountability is indispensable to arrest the systematic plunder of the public treasury by favored partisans; while the recent startling developments of frauds and corruptions at the Federal metropolis, show that an entire change of administration is imperatively demanded."

"9. That we brand the recent reopening of the African slave trade, under the cover of our national flag, aided by perversions of judicial power, as a crime against humanity and a burning shame to our country and age; and we call upon Congress to take prompt and efficient measures for the total and final suppression of that execrable traffic"

"12. That, while providing revenue for the support of the general government by duties upon imports, sound policy requires such an adjustment of these imports as to encourage the development of the industrial interests of the whole country; and we commend that policy of national exchanges, which secures to the workingmen liberal wages, to agriculture remunerative prices, to mechanics and manufacturers an adequate reward for their skill, labor, and enterprise, and to the nation commercial prosperity and independence."

Democrats
Democrats back in the 1900s were condemning Republican militaristic imperialism and for engaging the U.S. in "unjust wars" and "militarism." Democrats similarly condemned Republican "greedy commercialism" and urged free trade. Unlike the Republicans which called for a Department of Commerce, the Democrat platform called for a Department of Labor while criticizing Republican monetary policies as being "for the benefit of the banks." The more things change...

"We condemn and denounce the Philippine policy of the present administration. It has involved the Republic in an unnecessary war, sacrificed the lives of many of our noblest sons, and placed the United States, previously known and applauded throughout the world as the champion of freedom, in the false and un-American position of crushing with military force the efforts of our former allies to achieve liberty and self-government."

"The greedy commercialism which dictated the Philippine policy of the Republican administration attempts to justify it with the plea that it will pay; but even this sordid and unworthy plea fails when brought to the test of facts. The war of 'criminal aggression' against the Filipinos, entailing an annual expense of many millions, has already cost more than any possible profit that could accrue from the entire Philippine trade for years to come. Furthermore, when trade is extended at the expense of liberty, the price is always too high."

"We oppose militarism. It means conquest abroad and intimidation and oppression at home. It means the strong arm which has ever been fatal to free institutions. It is what millions of our citizens have fled from in Europe."

"We pledge the Democratic party to an unceasing warfare in nation, State and city against private monopoly in every form. Existing laws against trusts must be enforced and more stringent ones must be enacted providing for publicity as to the affairs of corporations engaged in inter-State commerce requiring all corporations to show, before doing business outside the State of their origin, that they have no water in their stock, and that they have not attempted, and are not attempting, to monopolize any branch of business or the production of any articles of merchandise; and the whole constitutional power of Congress over inter-State commerce, the mails and all modes of inter-State communication, shall be exercised by the enactment of comprehensive laws upon the subject of trusts."

"The Republican currency scheme is, therefore, a scheme for fastening upon the taxpayers a perpetual and growing debt for the benefit of the banks. We are opposed to this private corporation paper circulated as money, but without legal tender qualities, and demand the retirement of national bank notes as fast as government paper or silver certificates can be substituted for them."

"In the interest of American labor and the uplifting of the workingman, as the cornerstone of the prosperity of our country, we recommend that Congress create a Department of Labor, in charge of a secretary, with a seat in the Cabinet, believing that the elevation of the American laborer will bring with it increased production and increased prosperity to our country at home and to our commerce abroad."

"Corporations should be protected in all their rights and their legitimate interests should be respected, but any attempt by corporations to interfere with the public affairs of the people or to control the sovereignty which creates them, should be forbidden under such penalties as will make such attempts impossible."

Republicans
The Republican platform in 1900, by contrast, applauded progress that had revitalized business, industry, and national credit. Unlike the Democrat platform which demanded a Department of Labor, Republicans called for a Department of Commerce. Republicans accused the Democrats of having no economic plans except printing more money, whereas Republicans had used tariffs and a gold standard to restore American prosperity. An emphasis on civil rights was reiterated, stating "It was the plain purpose of the fifteenth amendment to the Constitution, to prevent discrimination on account of race or color." Republicans also noticeably applauded the efforts of women, unlike the Democrat platform, and would prove the major reason the 19th Amendment passed a few years later. Republican trade policies were key to the economic recovery by producing a massive trade surplus.

The Republican platform was full of pro-war, militaristic language in direct contrast to that of the Democrat platform, and criticized the "Chicago platform." Nonetheless the GOP did criticize big business monopolies as threatening small business. The GOP platform called for restricting foreign immigration, raising the age limit for child labor, and improving military pay. The platform also called for opening up public lands for additional settlement, so as to "provide free homes on the public domain." GOP policies produced so much revenue that the platform called for a reduction in war taxes.

"The expectation in which the American people, turning from the Democratic party, intrusted power four years ago to a Republican Chief Magistrate and a Republican Congress, has been met and satisfied. When the people then assembled at the polls, after a term of Democratic legislation and administration, business was dead, industry paralyzed and the National credit disastrously impaired. The country's capital was hidden away and its labor distressed and unemployed. The Democrats had no other plan with which to improve the ruinous conditions which they had themselves produced than to coin silver at the ratio of sixteen to one. The Republican party, denouncing this plan as sure to produce conditions even worse than those from which relief was sought, promised to restore prosperity by means of two legislative measures—a protective tariff and a law making gold the standard of value."

"No single fact can more strikingly tell the story of what Republican Government means to the country than this—That while during the whole period of one hundred and seven years from 1790 to 1897 there was an excess of exports over imports of only $383,028,497, there has been in the short three years of the present Republican administration an excess of exports over imports in the enormous sum of $1,483,537,094."

"And while the American people, sustained by this Republican legislation, have been achieving these splendid triumphs in their business and commerce, they have conducted and in victory concluded a war for liberty and human rights. No thought of National aggrandizement tarnished the high purpose with which American standards were unfurled. It was a war unsought and patiently resisted, but when it came the American Government was ready. Its fleets were cleared for action. Its armies were in the field, and the quick and signal triumph of its forces on land and sea bore equal tribute to the courage of American soldiers and sailors, and to the skill and foresight of Republican statesmanship. To ten millions of the human race there was given "a new birth of freedom," and to the American people a new and noble responsibility."

"We renew our allegiance to the principle of the gold standard and declare our confidence in the wisdom of the legislation of the Fifty-sixth Congress, by which the parity of all our money and the stability of our currency upon a gold basis has been secured. We recognize that interest rates are a potent factor in production and business activity, and for the purpose of further equalizing and of further lowering the rates of interest, we favor such monetary legislation as will enable the varying needs of the season and of all sections to be promptly met in order that trade may be evenly sustained, labor steadily employed and commerce enlarged."

"The Democratic party must be convinced that the American people will never tolerate the Chicago platform."

"We recognize the necessity and propriety of the honest co-operation of capital to meet new business conditions and especially to extend our rapidly increasing foreign trade, but we condemn all conspiracies and combinations intended to restrict business, to create monopolies, to limit production. or to control prices; and favor such legislation as will effectively restrain and prevent all such abuses, protect and promote competition and secure the rights of producers, laborers, and all who are engaged in industry and commerce."

"In the further interest of American workmen we favor a more effective restriction of the immigration of cheap labor from foreign lands, the extension of opportunities of education for working children, the raising of the age limit for child labor, the protection of free labor as against contract convict labor, and an effective system of labor insurance."

"The Nation owes a debt of profound gratitude to the soldiers and sailors who have fought its battles, and it is the Government's duty to provide for the survivors and for the widows and orphans of those who have fallen in the country's wars. The pension laws, founded in this just sentiment, should be liberally administered, and preference should be given wherever practicable with respect to employment in the public service, to soldiers and sailors and to their widows and orphans."

"It was the plain purpose of the fifteenth amendment to the Constitution, to prevent discrimination on account of race or color in regulating the elective franchise. Devices of State governments, whether by statutory or constitutional enactment, to avoid the purpose of this amendment are revolutionary, and should be condemned."

"In further pursuance of the constant policy of the Republican party to provide free homes on the public domain, we recommend adequate national legislation to reclaim the arid lands of the United States, reserving control of the distribution of water for irrigation to the respective States and territories."

"The Dingley Act, amended to provide sufficient revenue for the conduct of the war, has so well performed its work that it has been possible to reduce the war debt in the sum of $40,000,000. So ample are the Government's revenues and so great is the public confidence in the integrity of its obligations that its newly-funded two per cent bonds sell at a premium. The country is now justified in expecting, and it will be the policy of the Republican party to bring about, a reduction of the war taxes."

"We congratulate the women of America upon their splendid record of public service in the volunteer aid association and as nurses in camp and hospital during the recent campaigns of our armies in the East and West Indies, and we appreciate their faithful co-operation in all works of education and industry."

I am reserving a broader discussion of "Southern Strategy" for my book. My arguments against the parties switching sides will be detailed there. Needless to say though, Democrats remain the same party of socialism they were in 1935 when they created Social Security and in 1965 when they created Medicare. For just a few examples of the Democrats' link to their racist past, see Al Gore Jr., whose father Al Gore Sr. voted as a U.S. Senator against the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Bill Clinton's mentor James William Fulbright, another Senator to vote against the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and of course, Hillary Clinton's mentor Robert Byrd, a former Ku Klux Klan leader and yet another U.S. Senator who not only opposed the 1964 Civil Rights Act but delivered a record-breaking 14 hour and 13 minute speech attempting to filibuster the Civil Rights Act to stop its passage.