Many people unfamiliar with the Deep South do not understand two main points: (1) a few politicians are only democrats because their dad, grandads, great-granddads, etc., were democrats and it is a family tradition, so to speak; and (2) a democrat in the Deep South is generally more conservative than just about any republican out west or (especially) the northeast part of the country.
Before someone wants to misconstrue my comments as an approval of democrats in general, get a grip. I'm only trying to explain something that is true in this part of the country. While it is a little less the case in national politics, it is much more the case in local politics. The Deep South, overall, is pretty darn conservative, with the exception of the large cities that are largely black populations, especially river cities (Memphis & New Orleans are excellent examples).
Exactly. I'd take a solid fiscal and social conservative who switches from Dem to GOP, over somebody whose always been a GOP (or maybe some third partier) who only focuses on fiscal issues because s/he is a social moderate/liberal.
You summed up the south very well.
I just heard the state run radio news and they are saying this is a ‘survival move’ and nothing more.
Dern, who woulda thunk it? ;)