Could the South Become Democratic again?

Question

We all know that the South used to be solid Democrat before the 1960s and the civil rights movement. Before that African Americans used to favor the republican party because it was the party of Lincoln and as a result the south was pro democrat. Do you think if by some strange way if repulicans decided to change their favor to african americans and democrats were to change their favor that the south would go back to being democrat? I mean yeah it sounds crazy but no one expected what happened to happen in the 60s, Kennedy even won southern states.

I have to respond to misskate12001.

As for education, democrats have been strongly for education and republicans against it. Bush has tried to take away grant money for colleges and democrats have had to fight for it.

As for economy, the economy is has been much better when a democrat is in office, its a fact.

As for labor, even just recently democrats had to fight repulicans so they could raise the minimun wage law. An extra 60 cents an hour isnt much but its more than repulicans are doing or even want to do.

I dont know where you get your information from.

The things I've named here are just things that happened recently so it'll be easier for you to look up and get the facts on.

Answer 1

The Democrat Party must become more patriotic and less leftwing extremist, if it hopes to re-capture the South.

Zell Miller is the last of the genuine Southern Democrats. They are a dying breed.

Answer 2

No. The south is part of the Bible belt and lots of Baptist down there. As long as there are gay/lesbians and abortion etc... the southerners will remain strong in their faith and be die hard Republicans! And Kennedy won because he was a fresh face, he was younger and it was the first time the American people were able to view the Presidential candidates on t.v. and look who was running against Kennedy? Nixon. Nixon never stood a chance from what I remember reading. ( I wasn't born yet). But that is what I remember. I have watched the old documentaries of the first televised Presidential debate on t.v. with Kennedy and Nixon.

Answer 3

It might become democrat again if the dem party would move closer to mainstream from far left, and quit running goofballs like Al Gore and John Kerry. As an aside: Hillary runs, you get another Republican. She's so socialistic she scares even the Democrats.

Read your history, dude. Republicans historically have neither "favored" or "opposed" blacks...it was the Democrat party that fought tooth and nail against civil rights. Those that think the Dems are "for" blacks and repubs are "against" blacks are mistaken,ignorant,or both.

Answer 4

I don't foresee any switch on the part of the parties as to who they cater to. But it is VERY possible that the solid Red State South is going to get a lot bluer in the next few years. For one thing, the demographics that the GOP relied on to build their strength here are shifting--and at the local and state level the GOP is coming under increasing criticism in many areas for its failures to address infrastructure and social issues. Also, at its heart, teh GOP strength was based on an appealto whites on racial grounds. But the younger generation--though fairly conservative by national standards, don't share their parents covert racism to any great extent (most of tem anyway) I don't expect any massive shift--but don't be surprised if Democrats become a good deal more competitive in the future.

Answer 5

Alot of Democratic platforms do not favor Southern interests currently. The South is not urban and is gaining economically.
However, the incompetence and corruption of Republicans, demonstrated big time this decade, is beginning to provide Democratic footholds in this part of the country.
So, yes, it actually could happen with the Republicans help.

Answer 6

Southern Politics has always been conservative. The current Democrat party is so far left in it's leadership, that there is no place for Southerns in the party.
Blacks have been hustled by Democrats for so long, they probably don't know much about Abraham Lincoln.

Answer 7

If they were to somehow come around and refocus on the issues that affect them the most. Say focus on education, labor, the economy, agriculture...

Rather than same-sex unions and abortion.

It shocks me really. That two issues that effect the few have somehow trumped the major issues that affect us all.

Great book by the way, "What's the Matter with Kansas?" by Thomas Frank. It goes into detail on how the conservatives were able to "win the heart of America" whilst making their lives worse than ever.

Answer 8

The democratic party was different before the 1960s

Plus, Lincoln wanted to send all of the slaves back to Africa, and only freed them as a tactic to disrupt the south.

Read up

Answer 9

what would be interesting... I'm not saying it would have the effect you're talking about... but still interesting...

if if the Republicans go with Rudy, who is basically a NYC social liberal... and the dems go with someone like an Edwards, who is from the south and is more socially moderate than Rudy is... oddly enough....

who would the south choose... New York City social liberal... or Southern socially moderate democrat?

and who would NYC choose? their hero or someone after their own political hearts on economic issues?

if nothing else... it would be very interesting to watch...

Answer 10

Not unless or until the democratic party drifts away from the far left.