The "solid south" voted solidly (80% to 90%) for all the Liberal Progressive Democrat candidates for President, including Woodrow Wilson, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and even Adlai Stevenson!
The South was not so solid for more conservative Democrats like Harry Truman and John F. Kennedy.
In the 1960s the South -- having been married to Liberal Progressivism since the Civil War -- suddenly discovered Republican conservatism and began voting our way.
Of course we love you guys, just like our own family, and we welcome you all to our party.
But let's be frank -- as far as real conservatives are concerned you Johnny Rebs are all Johnny-come-latelies here.
;-)
The South remained Democrat until they discovered that they could switch to the Republicans and still keep their big government, big spending ways.
But let's be frank -- as far as real conservatives are concerned you Johnny Rebs are all Johnny-come-latelies here.
I'm sure the kind welcome is sincere, but statements like these are why some Southerners will never vote Republican. You see, it isn't YOUR party. All Southerners are not Johnnie-come-latelies. I often speak to individuals whose political opinions a strictly conservative, both socially and fiscally, but they refuse to vote for any Republican. When I inquire as to why they vote against Republicans their answer is a variation of, "Republicans, phooey! Nothing but a bunch of elitist snobs."
This isn't going to change with less than polite welcomes. I understand it is different when chatting with other conservatives on FR, but it doesn't help me to change other's perceptions of the Republican party.
I believe Southerners understand each other much better than those not of the South. If you don't think there would be a backlash if Steel's "Southern Strategy" is widely known, think again. Most people don't like being thought of as ignorant, nor do they appreciate being manipulated. There are those who aren't particularly interested in politics nor American history, but do vote regularly. When part of our history is highlighted and other parts are ignored, someone will make sure the ignored parts are brought to the forefront. Best just to be open and honest or, better yet, just stick to conservative principles and let the rest go.
"Southern Strategy".....baloney! How about a conservative strategy?!
Well, that's mighty white of you, bro.......
Speaking for my self, I vote Republican because of people like Tom Coburn, not Michael Steele. If your pal "Zak" succeeds in liberalizing your "grand party" like it was during Lincoln - I'll be writing in Daffy Duck.
Furthermore... claiming Lincoln was "conservative" is no different than claiming, Lenin was Jeffersonian.
While it may be true, Southerners learned a strong distaste for your candidates after that sour milk your hero served up. It is today, as it should be. Lincoln's radical party was chugged full of progressives, and Marxist revolutionaries - Much like Obama's is today. :)