What was more important for creating the current "base" for the Republican party, Nixon's "Southern Strategy" or Reagans courting of evangelicals?

It seems the core of the GOP these days are a combination of bigots and evangelical Christians. It seems like Catholics are starting to make up another bloc of GOP voters. Yes, there is some overlap, but it seems like stoking the racist fires was a sure fire strategy to win votes.

I'm old enough to remember when the south was not solid red. That transformation was key to get the GOP where it is today.

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redredred · M

I think the current components of the Republican Party are
largely due to the unacceptably leftward surge of the democrats. Adlai Stevenson, JFK and Hubert Humphrey would never be welcome as leading figures in today’s democrat party. Not even Jimmy Carter would be welcome.

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redredred · M

@PicturesOfABetterTomorrow Another retreat from “Religious Extremism” to just “extremism.” You know you made an error and are too much of a little child to admit it. You’ve switched to “extremism” hoping you can find a general example but you can’t even do that. You are just another ranting leftard loser.

PicturesOfABetterTomorrow · 41-45, M

@redredred No, just you inventing non existent distinctions to desperately run away from your garbage politics. Speaks volumes that you have no spine. It also speaks volumes that you can't actually contradict what I said and instead resort to childish games.

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ron122 · 41-45, M

And yet still not as corrupt as the racist democrats.

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PicturesOfABetterTomorrow · 41-45, M

@ron122 Again, that would be you buttercup.

I just understand elementary school level English words. Something you seem to struggle with.

Facts and definitions mean something. I know to conservatives feels are all that matter and reality is whatever you feel like but the rest of the world believes in objective reality.

ron122 · 41-45, M

@PicturesOfABetterTomorrow Well I know what you are. A racist.

PicturesOfABetterTomorrow · 41-45, M

@ron122 You have proven you don't. Because you prove repeatedly you don't know what a racist is.

Good job outing yourself as a white supremacist though.

BackyardShaman · 61-69, M

Both concepts damaged the country beyond repair, but the Reagan courting of the born again crowd is likely more alive today. I’m old enough to remember when the Southern White churches would have kicked out anyone caught supporting the GOP. However those same churches would have called the Sheriff to remove and arrest any black family that tried to attend.

MarkPaul · 26-30, M

Well, any time there is an opening to exploit an opportunity that is going to happen. In Nixon's case, the South was looking for a "home" for its racist interests that historically had been satisfied by the Democrats. As that dynamic changed, the Republicans offered a path to continue rather than to change and Nixon exploited that.

In Reagan's case, the Evangelical movement formed to disguise bigotry inside of religious doctrine, something that had been done literally forever. Again, he exploited that group for political gain.

PicturesOfABetterTomorrow · 41-45, M

Both.

TheOneyouwerewarnedabout · 46-50, MVIP

Why do you care?
Trumps finished..
The walls are closing in.

Just shows you know he’s coming back …

Good luck to any rino thinking they can tame orange man’s 65M+ base.

ChipmunkErnie · 70-79, M

The total lack of morality in the current GOP leadership and their pandering to the worst in the American populace.

Spotpot · 41-45, M

Both.

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