Reply #90: Carter and Clinton both won southern states

[Hippo_Tron]

You're right, the "solid" democratic south was lost with the civil rights movement. But Jimmy Carter won almost every southern state, I believe the exceptions are Florida and Virginia. Mississippi, Alabama, and South Carolina were really the first to convert to solid GOP, Texas followed quickly in presidential elections. But Clinton still managed to win Louisiana, Arkansas, and Tennesee both times, as well as Missouri, Kentucky, and West Virginia (if you coun't those as southern states). He also won Georgia the first time and Florida the second time. And I don't buy that whole thing about social liberalsim ruining our chances in the south. Clinton won in 1992 championing allowing gays to serve in the military, an idea that was more radical at the time than it is today and thus he was elected championing gay rights more than Kerry did.

Democrats probably aren't going to win Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina again any time soon, there's simply too much "social conservatism". But if we plan our campaigns right Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennesee, Missouri, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Florida can all be swing states. Forcing the GOP to defend these southern states will force them to take money out of places like Ohio and give us a big advantage.

Democrats have the solid northeast and the solid west coast now, we don't need the solid south anymore. We just need to take a few southern states and we'll win in a landslide every time.