The Dixiecrats

[OnionPatch]

I keep hearing it again....the accusation that it was the Democrats who were against civil rights in the sixties. My brother-in-law hit me with this one and I was able to straighten him out that yes, the Dixiecrats were southern Democrats who were against civil rights, but this was at odds with the rest of the Democratic party who were ready to adopt a platform favoring desegregation. In fact, from what I understand, a bunch of the Dixiecrats were so mad at their own party that they switched over to the Republican party and remained Republicans for the rest of their lives. Strom Thurmond is a perfect example.

People refer to the Dixiecrats as if they are past history, but the original Dixiecrats have really only recently departed from our public offices and they are still there really, in the hearts of their protegees, people still in congress today....in the REPUBLICAN party.

So the GOP is twisting the facts around on this one and really trying to fool people into thinking that the Democrats have some sort of record of being against civil rights. What I'm wondering is, is anyone falling for this? I was surprised my brother-in-law didn't know better. Or am I the one who is misinformed?

[blue cat]

1. Geez

Heard the same shit from my repug relatives. I could never get them to think any different.

[wicket]

9. Same here

It's like talking to a log.

[lcordero2]

2. I think that maybe it was the gun issue too

GCA of 1968

[ngant17]

3. and don't forget the issue of "states' rights"!

The conservative South during the 1960's and earlier, when racial discrimination was the norm, also championed the old Confederate rally cry of 'states rights', which was used as the argument for fillibusters to block civil rights bills, including a record more than 24 hour fillibuster by Sen. Thurmond. I think you could have found plenty of conservative Repugs who were on the same side of the Dixiecrats at the time.

Even more recently, Ronald Reagan and a number of conservative Repugs have supported states' rights.

Yet look how silent the Repugs were in the same issue wrt the Florida votes and elections in the 2000 Presidential vote, Gore vrs Bush. Where was the call for the right of the Fla. state supreme court to uphold the elections. No, they don't want state rights now! They want federal intervention to pick their winner.

Repugs pick and choose at a whim these days on whatever issue suits their fancy at the most convenient political moment. Charlie Crist is a perfect example, he's already changed his position to conform with his opponent Jim Davis in the race for the governor of Fla.

It must have something to do with a limited attention span. Some of us are not impressed with these wishy-washy politicians.

[BlueManDude]

4. It's pretty simple - the racists found a new home in the GOP...

simply tell that to your brother in law while dropping the name of Strom Thurmond.

[OnionPatch]

5. That was my point

The same people are still around, they're just Republicans, now. You're right; they found a new home that was more sympathetic to their views.

I did tell my brother-in-law and he seemed pretty shocked to see how that had been twisted around to sound like something it wasn't by the right. Thank God, he's coming around. He was an independent but supported the war. Now he really hates Bush and has finally admitted that the war was a mistake. Yesterday he said, "Nobody knew they were lying about the WMDs!" and my sister and I jumped on him with, "What?!...We did!" He turned red. He knew. He knows. It's just very hard to admit being wrong.

[BlueManDude]

12. You might also want to point out...

that if Lincoln were alive today he most certainly wouldn't be cavorting with the party that always (though not exclusively) seems to be hyping the Confederate flag issue when ever it can. Yeah - I'm sure Lincoln would support the flying of the Confederate flag. They always tout themselves as the Party of Lincoln - but Abe would no doubt be a Democrat if he were around today.

[BootinUp]

6. majority of the White Southerners

that were against it regardless of Party. Many left the Democratic party as a result.

Probably some good info here, but I am sure there are many other and better sources on the net.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Civil_Rights_Movement_%281955-1968%29

[BlueManDude]

13. LBJ predicted it when he signed civil rights legislation n/t

[talk hard]

7. that old chestnut

Dixiecrats are now known as Republicans.

[OnionPatch]

8. I'm just amazed at how this thing has legs

It may be an old chestnut, but there are a lot of people out there who still believe it.

[Rowdyboy]

10. Trent Lott began his career as a Democratic aide to Democratic

representative William Colmer (Mississippi-5th district). Colmer was one of the most disgusting racists ever to grace congress. When he retired in 1972, Lott switched parties and won the seat as a Republican. It was my first ever election and I had the opportunity to vote against Trent Lott. I've also done it ever since....

Lott is a pure blood Dixiecrat.

[OnionPatch]

11. I was wondering about him

I thought he might have been a Dixiecrat, too.