How the South almost destroyed America??!!

The remarkable death of Dixie America
Gerard Baker
Few parts of the world are as loved and loathed with the intensity that is
felt for the American South. Thanks to a long line of contributions to the
popular culture from Gone with the Wind to Borat, via Deliverance, Dixie,
the great muggy swath of the southeastern United States, from Washington DC
to Texas, has a firm grip on the imagination of Americans and foreigners
alike.

To its detractors it is a terrifying and contemptible land full of racist
rednecks, Bible-toting hypocrites and downtrodden blacks. To those of a more
romantic disposition, and certainly to most of its inhabitants, it is a land
of blue-tinged mountains and old-world courtesies, of rich comforting food
and the unshifting loyalties of friends and family, and the place that gave
birth to the sole truly American cultural innovation - jazz.

Neither stereotype ever had it right. It has always been more diverse than
that, as anyone who has ever taken the two-and-a-half-hour flight from the
oilfields of Texas to the Washington suburbs of Northern Virginia, or driven
from the Florida beaches to the southern Appalachians, will know. But its
friends and enemies can agree on one thing: the South has exercised a
remarkable sway for the past few years.

It is not a stretch to say that the ascent of the South has been the single
most important development in US politics in the past 50 years. Beginning in
the mid-1960s, with fitting irony, almost 100 years after the collapse of
the Old Confederacy in the Civil War, the South has steadily grown to a
remarkable dominance over America's politics.

The passage of civil rights legislation marked the start of the long decline
of the Democratic Party in the South. The national party's championing of
civil rights undercut the old "Dixiecrats", socially conservative Democrats
across the South, and weakened the party's appeal to Southern white voters.

The trend was accelerated by the decision by the Supreme Court to legalise
abortion in 1973. Evangelical Christian conservatives, in large numbers in
the South, abandoned their old reluctance to get involved in politics and
campaigned hard to reverse cultural progressivism.

The effect was extraordinary. Though the population of the states of the Old
Confederacy never numbered much more than a quarter of the US population,
its geographic concentration and broadly monolithic political culture gave
it an outsized role in the nation's decision-making. It provided the
impregnable base of the Republican domination of the presidency in the past
40 years - when the party has won seven of the last ten elections.

Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan were based in California, but they were the
first Republicans to win a majority of Southern states. Though George Bush
Sr was a Connecticut Yankee of impeccable pedigree, he took up residence in
Texas and did his level best to hide his hopelessly exquisite manners by
eating pork rinds and showing up for meetings in cowboy boots.

Even more remarkable was the degree to which Democrats focused on the South.
The last three Democratic presidents were Southerners - Lyndon Johnson,
Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton. Every time the party picked nonSoutherner
presidential candidates - George McGovern in 1972, Walter Mondale in 1984,
Michael Dukakis in 1988 and John Kerry in 2004 - they lost. Al Gore in 2000
was from Tennessee, and also lost, but in a striking affirmation of the
Southern ascendancy, he lost all the Old Confederacy states - including his
own. If he had won a single one of them he would have been president.

The broader consequences of this Dixification have been clear. The political
values of the South have become in many respects the values of the nation.
The South has the strongest religious sentiment, the strongest support for
the military, the strongest opposition to social permissiveness, to abortion
and gay marriage. When most foreigners think in clichéd terms of the
"typical" American, they are probably thinking of someone with the worldview
of a citizen of the Carolinas.

By the beginning of the 21st century the Dixification of America was more or
less complete. Bill Clinton, from Arkansas, had handed over the presidency
to George Bush, a Texan. Congressional Republicans were led predominantly by
Southerners. The governing agenda was low taxes, the revival of conservative
moral standards and a hardened foreign policy.

But now consider this. Just six years later, Dixie is in eclipse. With the
Democratic victory in the mid-terms last year the leadership in Congress has
passed into the hands of Westerners from California and Nevada with an
agenda - antiwar, liberal on abortion and gay rights - wholly at odds with
the South.

Even more striking, the Democrats look likely to nominate as their
presidential candidate someone from outside the South - Hillary Clinton or
Barack Obama - and, at least on current form, she or he is the firm
favourite to win next year.

The one Democratic contender from the South is John Edwards but the former
South Carolina senator has gone out of his way to oppose most of what his
fellow Southerners believe - from the war to socially conservative values.
And how many good ole boys have paid $400 for a haircut?

The Democrats don't feel they need a southern strategy. They can easily win
the presidency with a combination of the Northeast, the Midwest and the
West. In fact, the South now looks less like a solid Republican base and
more like a Republican ghetto.

Even Republicans seem to have cooled on the Old South. Their leading
presidential contenders are a multiply-divorced Catholic social liberal from
New York (Rudy Giuliani) and a Mormon from Massachusetts (Mitt Romney). Two
Southerners are in the field - Fred Thompson, from Tennessee, and Mike
Huckabee, from Arkansas, but their southernness doesn't seem to be helping
them much.

Who killed Dixie? Demographics played a part - the nation's centre of
gravity continues to move westwards, increasing the relative power of the
Rockies and the Pacific Coast states. So too did politics - a decade of
mismanagement by Republicans has hardly been an advertisement for
Southern-flavoured government. The nation's ideological balance is shifting
also, as the influence of religious conservatives wanes. Whatever
combination of factors is responsible, the Strange Death of Dixie America
will have powerful implications for years.

D.L. Anderson, (first response to this column, at the very bottom), that
"reputation as the main supporters of an incompetent president who has done
little good for us or for much of anyone else" has been well deserved by you
Evangelicals, don't complain about it.

Especially after pulling the lever again in 2004 because the Democrats "hold
your values in contempt" - you know, those 'jail the gays, keep the women at
home, keep blacks in their place, the-poor-get-what-they-deserve,
doesn't-matter-if-brown-people-die, women should be baby factories' values.
These very un-Christlike Evangelical Values *based* on contempt that
*should* be held in contempt.

You were afraid that my partner and I would be able to marry and that he
might get (admittedly overpriced) health care and the right to see me in the
hospital and that we could have a family together. So you voted for the man
whose party has decimated worker rights, stagnated incomes, ballooned the
deficit, killed more soldiers than..

Scott, San Francisco, CA / USA

Gerard Baker is wrong about demographics. The centre of gravity of the
country is moving both westwards and southwards. Population growth in both
the south and the west was over 20% between 1990 and 2006, whereas for the
midwest and northeast it was below 10%

Peter, New York,

I would just like to point out that you can't have it both ways! If Bill
Clinton was from the South, then so is Hillary! The fact that she currently
represents New York, does not make her less of a southerner, it certainly
doesn't make her a New Yorker!

Debbie (EX-Pat), Atlanta, GA USA

In general, a good overview. But a quibble - many Texans would not consider
themselves part of the "South", or at least not the "Deep South". The
Wikipedia article on the "Deep South" shows states definitely included and
states sometimes included - Texas is neither. A bit of trivia - El Paso is
closer to Los Angeles than to Houston.

The Republican takeover was similar, but as a resident of ex Rep. Tom
Delay's district, I point out that he was hounded from office and replaced
by a Democrat. The "permanent Republican majority" didn't quite work out for
"The Hammer". Also, the city of Houston got the award for "Person of the
Year" recently for their support of Katrina victims, hardly an indictment of
redneck status. (The award was from, of all sources, the City of Dallas).

Steve Kennedy, near Houston, TX, USA

Kara in Mobile

Well, you need to brush up on your geography, as well as American history.

Washington, D.C, is geographically in the south as the Mason-Dixon line
divided the north and the south. Maryland is also geographically in the
South, but did not secede from the UN.

However, Virginia and Texas are southern states, both were in the
Confederacy, and Richmond, VA, was the capital of the Confederacy ... and
then there was a Virginia called Robert E. Lee - who put Virginia before
being an American. As a Virginian, I can assure everyone that Virginia is
located in the south, and is a Southern state ....

Marlene, Alexandria, Virginia, USA

Ward - wrong on most of those. The US is good at marketing things, most
things, however, are invented elsewhere. What he said was Truly American.
Analyse what that means.

And stop sniping at the British; why do Australians constantly have to point
out our supposed shortcomings on these forums? There is hardly a posting by
an Australian which does not attempt to stick the knife into the British at
some point. Grow up.

PSF, London, UK

Just a note to Jim Walton from D.C. Tennessee was indeed a member of the
Confederacy. It was Kentucky that was a border state, yet had units in the
Confederate Army. Don't write the South off as voting block if Hillary
Clinton is nominated, as she is sure to be. She is an extremely polarizing
figure in American politics, and very likely to get trounced with her
economy-sinking health care proposals.

Brian Elliott, Grapevine, USA/TX

Washington DC., Virginia and Texas are not in the south.

There is also not a particular southern accent. Someone from the gulf coast
does not have the same accent as a person from TN or the Carolinas.

The idea that the south is evangelical is a misnomer. The gulf coast is
Catholic.

Kara Tyson, Mobile, AL USA

As Mark twain once said; "rumors of my demise have been greatly
exaggerated". The Southerner with his unshakable sense of individuality,
traditional values, good manners and yes, sometimes obstinancy and violence
will endure whoever is in the government. We are not going anywhere. I agree
with Alfred that air conditioning did change the character of the south. I
have a hard time imagining William Faulkner writing "The Sound and The
Fury", or Harper Lee's Atticus Finch delivering his eloquent closing
statement in climate controlled splendor. The american south with all of its
nobleness, blemishes, pride, sorrow , traditions, history, and residue of
aristocracy will endure out of a stubborn sense of identity that will not be
subdued. Hmmm... sounds like another group of folks, anybody you know?

Joseph Thornton, Warrenton VA., USA

Overall there is something to what you are saying. However, the South is
still growing as a portion of the country. GA and NC are now larger than NJ.
FL will pass NY for the #3 spot in 2010. TX, FL, GA, and perhaps VA and NC
will gain electoral votes and Congressmen after the next census while MA,
NY, OH, PA, MI, and IL will lose some.

The South will still not be a majority of the country, but it has gone from
less than a quarter to almost a third if you count the old confederacy plus
OK and KY.

The West is also growing, but it is still much smaller than the South. The
question is whether the South is sufficiently different from the rest of the
country, that winning the South means not winning 5-10 non-Southern states
(generally the Mountain West and parts of the Midwest) for the Republicans.

I think the article would be a bit more interesting if it talked about the
diversity of the South. The NC/TN/VA new south is quite distinct from the
MS/AL deep south.

Adam C, Southern, US

I hope the author is correct---that Dixification has had its day.
But there are many "Southerners" here in the north of the US too. And
lurking beneath this possible new trend are millions of true believers who
have no doubt that God is on their side.

James A Smailes, Pickerington, Ohio

I always find it entertaining when someone tries to explain the southern
United States, especially people who have only traveled through the area. As
a lifelong resident of Mississippi, I can assure you the south is everything
that has been said, but so much more. People see what they want to see and
hear what they want to hear. To truly understand this area, you must live
here. Yes, there is racism here, just as there is everywhere else in this
world. Yes, there is intolerance here, just like everywhere else. But, there
is actual love and respect of people different from you here also, something
I feel is missing in a great part of this world. You folks from other places
will never understand the south. We all laugh when you try to say ya'll.

Michael Gray, Pontotoc, Mississippi/USA

I wonder if this precipitous fall of the South will last. Incompetence will
almost always alienate voters eventually, as will an unduly rigid approach
to social values, even in the South. Are these indeed the things that have
caused the looming political isolation.? Only in part I think.
Jimmy Carter, a southern Democrat was sacked more for incompetence than for
ideology and the southern Republicans have become a caraciture of the social
norms they claim to represent. A caraciture that even most Southerners would
not buy into.
America remains a deeply conservative political culture and one not easily
transformed. True, the North, West and Midwest appear to be ascendent, for
the moment, but the South will rise again. All it needs is a brief respite
to restore the image of competence and balance. I predict that in another
eight to ten years the South will be back.
Just a note: Tennessee was a border state and not part of the old
Confederacy.

Jim Walton, Wasshington DC,

A fine article, but why does the author claim that jazz music is America's
sole contribution to world culture? I hear this repeated over and over. What
about rock and roll? What about country and western music? Or are these
musical styles "beneath" the radar of your typical jazz snob? Rock has
changed the world far more than jazz has (a change for the better, or
worse,that is up to you). Or, what about American R &B, the raw, primitive
music that made jazz possible in the first place?

john johnson, NY, NY

Prior to 1948 the southern states were one perty Democratic Party states.
The state party machinery was all Democratic Party and candidates for state
office competed in the Democratic primary for state and local offices. There
was no general election for state offices. For President in 1948 Senator
Strom Thurmond became the Dixicrat Party candidate for president opposing
Truman and Dewey. Southerners began voting Republican with Eisenhower, then
Nixon and local Republicans began running against Democrats for state
offices.The senior George H.W. Bush was elected to Congress in Houston.
George W. Bush was the darling of Texas land barons, oilmen, the insurance
industry, and employers and doctors who were in a battle with trial lawyers
and unions over workers compensation, state funding of public schools, and
school standards.Bush defeated Democratic Governor Ann Richards.Lyndon
LaRouche tried to take over the Democratic Party. The party thwarted this
attempt.

rick, lewisville, texas

The world would be a safer place if the Southern States had been allowed to
leave the Union and therefore had no control over current US foreign policy.

John Small, Faversham, UK

The most important thing to remember about the South is that it is almost
unliveable, in the summer, without air-conditioning. The economic rise of
the South matches precisely the availability of a/c.

Furthermore, the South uses prolifigate amounts of petrol per capita to
drive between its far-flung suburbs.

It is clear that we are entering a period when this style of living is quite
impossible to maintain. This will inexhorably lead to the South reverting to
something closer to what it used to be like.

Alfred, Ryde, Isle of Wight

Sir, I'm from a northern state...New Hampshire. Been here in Kentucky for 12
years and perhaps met a dozen registered Republicans. Still though..they
seem to elect them over and over again. With that said I bet I've met less
than a dozen who will admit to it. They may officially stay in Grandad's
party...but they still vote across party lines for the one that most
reflects their values. That tends to be Republican and I don't see that
changing from my perspective.

Besides all that...a comment on the South. While viewed by many as Redneck.
Its a great place to raise kids! A "yes sir" and "yes Ma'am" is heard
constantly along with "Ya'll need any help?". And folks...that comes from
teenagers!! My kids are raised here. If they move..I hope they spread the
southern values! Believe me...its a good thing!!!!

Murph, Madisonville , USA/KY

"sole truly American cultural innovation â?" jazz."

Blues
Rhythm and Blues
Bluegrass
Texas Swing
Boogie Woogie
Stride
Gospel
Rockabilly
Rock and Roll
Soul
Funk
Bebop
Bop
Post Bop
Fusion
Motown
Hip Hop
Rap

Let's not even start with modern art, e.g. Pop Art, etc.
I guess as a Brit you are used to feeling superior to everyone. Bit short on
your cultural studies, eh wot?

Ward, Maleny, Australia

An interesting analysis, and quite insightful. However, the Republican Party
is still in the ascendancy in Georgia which now has its first Republican
governor since Reconstruction (in his second term); it now has two
Republican U.S. senators, whereas a decade or so ago both were Democrats;
its congressional delegation is now majority Republican; and in recent years
Republicans have taken the majority in both the Georgia state House and
Senate. Georgia seems to be bucking the national trend.

St.John Flynn, Mableton, Georgia, U.S.

Please note that Senator Edwards was born in South Carolina, bu t
represented North Carolina in the Senate

DKK, Rochester, NY USA

Spot on. And may the pace accelerate exponentially.

Pete Scarvelis, Cleveland, Ohio

The south is way more complicated than the author implies. It suffers from
stereotypes as he suggested, however, he then himself goes off on a heavily
sterotypical analysis. We are seeing sadly that in places like Jena LA there
are some places where racism is alive and well, however, this is hardly
unique to the southern United States; the media is just gleefully smug when
instances in the south appear. He is also deluding himself if he thinks the
south is no longer important in presidential elections. The democrats ran on
this very strategy in 2004 and got hammered for it. Whatever ticket ends up
the winner next year there will be someone on it with strong southern ties.
I am not from the south but lived there for six years and can honestly say
you have to live there to see it for what is really a beautiful, vibrant
region with overwhelmingly kind people who are truly trying to live their
life the best way they know how.

Marianne, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

John Edwards was a senator from NC - not SC. I don't claim him nor do few
others apparently. Trial lawyer - nuff said.


David Clayton, Charlotte, NC USA

Actually genuinely conservative southerners have not had any national party
who represented our values for quite some time. Who do we vote for--the
Democrats, many of whom hold our values in contempt, or the Republicans, who
pay lip service to these values but really worship the forces of big
business that have ruined the livelihoods of most southerners? Mainly it has
been the latter, and so we are now saddled with a reputation as the main
supporters of an incompetent president who has done little good for us or
for much of anyone else. I wonder at times whether we should even vote at
all.

D.L. Anderson, Crossett, AR/U.S.A.


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