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Another way to understand Eastland and Talmadge's place in national politics in the civil rights era:
After Strom Thurmond switched to the GOP in 1964, conservatives like William F. Buckley Jr. hoped that Eastland, Talmadge and other Dixiecrats might be persuaded to switch too.
After Strom Thurmond switched to the GOP in 1964, conservatives like William F. Buckley Jr. hoped that Eastland, Talmadge and other Dixiecrats might be persuaded to switch too.
Buckley understood that the key to all this was making sure that Strom Thurmond got to keep his seniority, because seniority determined the powers and perks of senators -- even more considerable at that time.
And indeed, the GOP did that for Thurmond.
And indeed, the GOP did that for Thurmond.
Buckley hoped the same offer might be extended to other older Dixiecrats.
"Who might be approached?" he asks at the end. "James Eastland, for instance." Then he names seven more targets, including Talmadge.
Buckley clearly thought they had a home in the GOP as it turned right.
"Who might be approached?" he asks at the end. "James Eastland, for instance." Then he names seven more targets, including Talmadge.
Buckley clearly thought they had a home in the GOP as it turned right.
Ultimately, Thurmond's deal proved to be a one-off.
The rest of them stayed in the party for the rest of their careers, even as their votes -- as seen in the ACU ratings -- showed Buckley was correct that they were better aligned with the conservative wing of the GOP.
The rest of them stayed in the party for the rest of their careers, even as their votes -- as seen in the ACU ratings -- showed Buckley was correct that they were better aligned with the conservative wing of the GOP.
