[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.

[AmishDude]

I used "were". The states were overwhelmingly Democrat in the late 60s and 70s.

[Clemenza]

Louisiana is still largely Dem on the local level. Damn Franco-Americans... ;-)