A controversy brewing among New York Times editorialists touches on the southern strategy which we've touched on in 2301. The controversy concerns whether Reagan's use of the term "states rights" before a crowd in Philadelphia, Mississippi at the beginning of his 1980 presidential bid was catering to the audience's racist views. Recall the town's history in order to understand the background.
A New Republic article places this controversy in historical context. Both parties spent time trying to lure southern racists. Democrats did so with Jim Crow in the late 19th Century, but gave it up when they nominated Al Smith in 1928. The article suggests that Republicans have yet to fully reject this group and points to Bush's 2000 primary race in South Carolina as an example.
It's a good overview of racial politics.
