In a thread last night, I noted how the first wave of Southern Republicans in the 1960s were, on issues of race and civil rights, virtually indistinguishable from the Dixiecrats they replaced.
While I focused on that first generation, it's worth noting the connections they had to later generations of Southern Republicans, too.
Newt Gingrich, for instance, worked on the 1966 gubernatorial campaign of Bo Callaway (see below).
They stayed close. Gingrich had Callaway lead Gingrich's powerful GOP Action Committee (GOPAC) in the 1980s and planned the 1994 Contract with America too.
They stayed close. Gingrich had Callaway lead Gingrich's powerful GOP Action Committee (GOPAC) in the 1980s and planned the 1994 Contract with America too.
Jeff Sessions did the same thing in Alabama -- getting his start on the 1966 gubernatorial campaign of Jim Martin (see below)
As a journalist noted that year, AL segregationists thought Martin had "virtually the same racial views as Governor Wallace.”
As a journalist noted that year, AL segregationists thought Martin had "virtually the same racial views as Governor Wallace.”
In closing, let me repeat what I said last night:
