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The Decline of the Solid Democratic South

The Decline of the Solid Democratic South. Dan Feintuck, Theresa Lindstrand, Ben Yelin. Alabama. Alabama. GOP in national elections, in-state quagmire Elections of 1962 and ’64 Renegade Dems: George Wallace takes back AL Dems hold State Legislature Dems : Blacks vs. Renegades

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The Decline of the Solid Democratic South

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  1. The Decline of the Solid Democratic South Dan Feintuck, Theresa Lindstrand, Ben Yelin

  2. Alabama

  3. Alabama • GOP in national elections, in-state quagmire • Elections of 1962 and ’64 • Renegade Dems: George Wallace takes back AL • Dems hold State Legislature • Dems: Blacks vs. Renegades • GOP: Moderates vs. Far right • Party Switching • Both parties lack centralized headquarters • High turnover rate within party leadership

  4. South Carolina

  5. South Carolina • Historically solidly Dem, not anymore • Civil Rights alienate SC Dems; Strom begins crossover • Steady crossover; Congress is split • GOP first to organize, have more specific aims • bridge to national party, assistance to candidates, spreading of views • Moderate vs. Conservatives • Democrats simply try to beat GOP; organize later • Racial divide

  6. Mississippi

  7. Mississippi • Historically dominated by race and class • Solidly Democratic until post-war period • One party system flawed: The Democrats became divided into factions • Miss. Freedom Dems vs. Conservative Whites • State legislature has remained solidly democratic • Evolved into a GOP state in National Elections starting in 1964

  8. Georgia

  9. Georgia • History • 1964 - Civil Rights Act, Barry Goldwater – Republican • 1965 - Voting Rights Act • 1968 - George Wallace – Independent • Party Organization – 1st half of 20th Century • Democrats - Not cohesive, Candidate-centered • GOP - ??? • Party Organization – 2nd half of 20th Century • Loss of Presidency in 1960 • Death of 1st ever Republican candidate for governor in 1962 • Growth of Republican party in 1980s • Democrats still lacking cohesiveness • Party Organization Today • Republicans - Top-down authority • Democrats - Authority divided between levels • Republicans - Lack of candidates for lower-level offices compared to Democrats

  10. Conclusion -All were solidly Democratic, now shifting GOP in national elections -Strong Democratic Presence within states -Major factions in state parties -In all but SC, gov’t is becoming far more liberal than the people

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