For the first time ever a Southern State has shown some movement toward liberalism regarding social issues, Virginia with the AG's statement that he wont defend the anti-gay marriage ban.
If you look at voting patterns and if you know people from the South, generationally as I have, you know that since reconstruction, they have been social conservatives. (Its another post all together, but I think Sherman's March of destruction is what gave rise to the social conservatism, much like punishment of Germany after WWI is what gave rise to Nazism) The South supported the Democrats because they are the party that supported the institution of slavery, and from the 1860's to the 1960's was the party that assisted with propping up the social structure of segregation. (not that they got much fight from the republicans) But that all changed with the election of JFK, he promoted the idea of integration and supported the Civil Rights Movement.
JFK's death left LBJ with little choice but to champion the waive of support that the north insisted upon for the Civil Rights Movement. For the first time ever it was the Democrats being the social liberals, promoting change from the established order. National Guard Troops had to be called in to finish the job Abe Lincoln left undone. The Southern Social Conservative Democrats were furious and never again voted for a Democrat in a national election, (except a few exceptions including Georgia's support of JC). Slowly the demise of the national Democratic party in the South led to the end of the local Democratic party and most places in the former Confederate States barely have a Democratic party now.
But something is changing in Virginia and possibly North Carolina, demographics are changing. People are moving to Northern Virginia, new people are moving to North Carolina. Those two states are experiencing the influx of outsiders Florida has been experiencing for the last 100 years. Now that Florida is so crowded the move South is landing in cities like Charlotte and Asheville. If migration is finally ending the Social Conservatives grip on the Southern Electoral votes, are we about to see an even stronger liberal party?
If you look at voting patterns and if you know people from the South, generationally as I have, you know that since reconstruction, they have been social conservatives. (Its another post all together, but I think Sherman's March of destruction is what gave rise to the social conservatism, much like punishment of Germany after WWI is what gave rise to Nazism) The South supported the Democrats because they are the party that supported the institution of slavery, and from the 1860's to the 1960's was the party that assisted with propping up the social structure of segregation. (not that they got much fight from the republicans) But that all changed with the election of JFK, he promoted the idea of integration and supported the Civil Rights Movement.
JFK's death left LBJ with little choice but to champion the waive of support that the north insisted upon for the Civil Rights Movement. For the first time ever it was the Democrats being the social liberals, promoting change from the established order. National Guard Troops had to be called in to finish the job Abe Lincoln left undone. The Southern Social Conservative Democrats were furious and never again voted for a Democrat in a national election, (except a few exceptions including Georgia's support of JC). Slowly the demise of the national Democratic party in the South led to the end of the local Democratic party and most places in the former Confederate States barely have a Democratic party now.
But something is changing in Virginia and possibly North Carolina, demographics are changing. People are moving to Northern Virginia, new people are moving to North Carolina. Those two states are experiencing the influx of outsiders Florida has been experiencing for the last 100 years. Now that Florida is so crowded the move South is landing in cities like Charlotte and Asheville. If migration is finally ending the Social Conservatives grip on the Southern Electoral votes, are we about to see an even stronger liberal party?
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