[AmishDude]

It doesn't make a whole lot of sense because statewide and local elections in the South still were overwhelmingly Democrat. It is true that the South turned Pubbie for Presidential elections, but I don't think that could have been predicted, as Nixon is excoriated for the "Southern strategy".

I prefer to believe the n-word comment because (a) that sounds more like Johnson and (b) he was a ruthless political animal and would do nothing to devastate his party. It seems much more reasonable that the already Democrat-leaning black electorate would begin to be locked in with that legislation, delivering the urban North to the Democrats and the neo-Confederates would hold the South.

It gave the Dems dominance for two generations.

[KC_Conspirator]

I saw the LBJ comment on FR a few years back in an article, but I have no idea where is is now. You make absolute sense when you point out that that democrat dominance still lasted for 30 years in congress. I also don't know one politician from the modern era who would sign a bill they believed so calamitous.

[capt. norm]

"It doesn't make a whole lot of sense because statewide and local elections in the South still were overwhelmingly Democrat"

I am wondering which southern states you are talking about.

Republicans own the legislature here (in Florida), also Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi....I haven't really checked the rest.

In the 80's the rule was vote Republican national and Democrat local. But since then, the locals have switched to the Republican Party quite rapidly, even mayors, sheriffs and city councilmen.

If I were you I'd research a little before proclaiming overwhelming Democrat majority in local offices.