KatelynSears-Module11
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Political Science
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Jan 9, 2024
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Module 11 Assignment
In “Richard Nixon, George Wallace, and the Southernization of American Politics,” Dan
T. Carter details Richard Nixon’s “Southern Strategy” to gain support from the Southern states
while still getting support from the Northern states. Dan T. Carter also writes about George
Wallace’s approach to politics to gain support. The writing also describes how these methods
were and were not successful. These methods of politics have also affected how our current
political climate today.
Richard Nixon's "Southern Strategy" was a way to gain votes in the South and the North
by acting both moderate and conservative to the groups. Nixon did not want to lose votes in the
North by being too conservative or lose votes in the South by being too moderate. While Nixon
campaigned in the South, he spoke to about 200 groups, where he acted like with a more
conservative persona. His "Southern Strategy" focused on the suburban middle and working-
class Americans by making his views align with "traditional Republican economic conservatism
than with old-style racism"(326) to gain votes and win the presidential election.
In this statement, Carter means that George Wallace's ideals of anti-segregation were still popular
with many Southern Americans. What Carter means is that if a candidate could speak about these
ideals and detach themselves from the meaning of the message. One example is Nixon’s way of
gaining Southern votes, Richard Nixon concentrated on a "generally conservative emphasis,"
though the topic of race was avoided (347).
George Wallace's style of politics was straightforward and very assertive. George Wallace
would mess with news reports and paparazzi, and George Wallace did not maintain the idea of
being a stoic politician. He would say to the paparazzi, "Y'all be sure to get a shot of me shakin'
my fist. Or picking my nose." then like a little boy, he would strike a pose for the paparazzi
(340). George also had a crude way of campaigning to gain support. One example is Ja-Neen
Welch would sexually entice supporters to have them donate to George Wallace’s campaign. Ja-
Neen Welch would seductively stroke the microphone and shout to the audience, "I want you for
the Wallace Rebellion." Ja-Neen Welch would also promise a bonus for people who donated a lot
of money. Ja-Neen Welch would say, "If you'll raise your hand, and you got a hundred-dollar bill
to contribute, I'll come to give you a hug and kiss" (353). George Wallace supported many of the
ideals of the South. Wallace’s ideals mixed with his bold and energetic approach to politics
gained him a lot of support for the Republican party. Many other politicians tried to adopt
Wallace's tone and approach to politics, however, they were not as bold as Wallace.
In my opinion, Dan T. Carter’s arguments were more persuasive. Carter provides a
significant amount of information and facts about George Wallace's style of politics and how
George Wallace rises in popularity in the South. Dan T. Carter also explains Richard Nixon's
"Southern Strategy." Carter explains how and why it was a sort of balancing act for Nixon to
gain support from the North and South without losing support in either. Political Strategies
Carter outlines how politics change and evolve with how some campaign strategies work for
some politicians, while not working for other politicians. One example is the 2016 presidential
election between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. Hillary Clinton had a careful approach to
campaigning in order to not lose support. While Donald Trump took George Wallace's bold style
of campaigning. Trump did not filter what he said and used profanity and controversy to gain
supporters. Dan T. Carter explains how political styles from the past have led to the present way
of political styles and campaigning.
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