Dean's New Southern Strategy by Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.

[Khephra]

Historically, the Confederate flag is a symbol of the Democratic Party. Today, however, Republicans can fly and wave it, but Democrats can't talk about it--and current Democrats don't know how to handle it.

As a result, the symbol Howard Dean used got in the way of his substance, but his substance was on point--and the point was that Southern whites and blacks together must focus on their common economic needs: jobs, good schools, affordable healthcare.

Howard Dean has a new Democratic Southern strategy.

Democrats know the divide in the South is race. Republicans have exploited it. Democrats have evaded it.

more.......

http://www.thenation.com/doc.mhtml?i=20031201&s=jackson

[Khephra]

1. kick

.

[realFedUp]

2. Good discussion points here

Snip

Every Democrat has known since the civil rights movement that the party was becoming less competitive in the South because of race. Republicans have successfully exploited race (in proportion to black voting strength) since Richard Nixon's "Southern strategy" of 1968, by, among other things, using racial code words: Nixon's "law and order," Reagan's "states' rights" and "welfare queen," and the first George Bush's "Willie Horton."

When white moderates started catching on to their racial tactics, Republicans switched from racial to mainly social issues, as a diversion to misdirect voters away from the economic plight of many Southerners, white and black.

For example, Republicans campaign to "keep prayer in public schools," "to display the Ten Commandments in public buildings," to maintain the words "under God" in the pledge of allegiance, and around the death penalty, welfare mothers, abortion, homosexuality and pornography--all of which play well in the socially conservative Bible belt of the South. As a result, Republicans market cultural campaigns around moral values.

[Khephra]

3. Thanks for responding!

For a minute there I thought I'd posted a dupe. I couldn't imagine that this editorial wouldn't get comments, if nothing else from the anti-Dean crowd.

[Mel]

4. Have you read Jackson's book?

'A More Perfect Union: Advancing New American Rights'


Jackson hits it out of the ballpark and I tell you if Dean is going this route it's a Winner and it's what this country needs. I'm not against Dean at all you see who my first pick is but I tell you this makes me feel real good about Dean! If Dean has read and is listening to Jackson's ideas about the South he's doing good and it's a darn smart move not only that it's the right thing to do!

It's of the JFK way of thinking for this country by that I mean the positive it would work towards bringing 'people' together.
Yes, let those ideas come into the mainstream that's what people that vote against their own interests have got to have pointed out to them. <insert icon here of me pounding the table>

It don't matter, poor is poor and the middle class are taking a beating so stop letting yourselves be divided by race religion gender ect. it's what I call the wedge issues.

Read his book if you haven't Jesse knows what he's talking about when it comes to the South!

[Khephra]

5. I will...I didn't know that he had a book out

Cool! Add one to the list.

[Rowdyboy]

6. A very well-written analysis...

Jesse Jr should be able to shut up critics of his decision to endorse Dean with this piece. I think he's finally explained what Dean was trying to say in a way the EVERYONE could understand if they took the time to read the article.

Good for Jesse and good for Dean.

[Khephra]

7. He'll shut them up

IF this piece gets coverage.

[Cha]

8. I love Jesse Jackson Jr and I knew he

would come up with something real good to counteract the demagoguery shown by some of the other candidates.

[Khephra]

9. Well, he had to

"They" started attacking him too. To be silent is to be ineffective. I dont think JJJ wants to be silent.

Thank god for those who are willing to speak out!

[AP]

10. I disagree with this premise:

Bill Clinton used a two-pronged strategy in 1992-96, appealing to social conservatism and putting a second Southerner on the ticket. They campaigned in support of the death penalty, ending welfare as we know it and putting an end to the era of big government. Most recently, in 2000, conservative Northern Democrat Joseph Lieberman ran alongside Southerner Al Gore.

I agree that Clinton took the soft on crim eargument out of the Republican arsenal with Rick Ray Rector's execution, and that he challenged Sister Souljah on the issue of militancy in her music. But I'd hardly say that he campainged on being bad on race. (And that was '92. In regard to '96, I think it's totally absurd to make this claim.)

Clinton's central theme was "it's the economy stupid" which is the issue he's saying that Dean's doing in a new way. Dean isn't doing it in a new way. He's doing exactly what Clinton did if he's focusssing on the economy. Furthermore, Clinton had a long record of caring about race as a governor, and he got into politics over the issue of race. I think it's slightly absurd to argue that Clinton ran on some kind of non-race, socially conservative platform.

He pulled the carpet out from under the RW's feet on a couple of issues. But running on those issues? I don't think so. Once the carpet was gone, Clinton ran on an economic message which was targeted at black voters as much as it was targeted at white voters. (Especially by 1996, when there was no question where Clinton stood on race.)

[seventhson]

11. Thanks for the invaluable post. I see why Shirley Jackson Lee is Dean's

The reason I like Dean is that he makes the most sense and he uses a good doctor's approach to curing the illness - both with the democratic party and with the electorate.

With African Americans backing Dean like this and Dean's new strategy, the prospects look really btter than ever.

Thanks Kheph

[Khephra]

12. Always happy to help!

:-)

[Khephra]

13. I'm really surprised that the anti-Dean squad hasn't jumped on this

Really surprised.