General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Why Hasn't The American Left Convinced More Americans To Vote For More Progressive Candidates? [View all]Liberal_Stalwart71
(20,450 posts)the South was lost to the Republicans due to the extension of civil rights, that was the end. We got Nixon because LBJ was too politically bruised to run again. (That's why it is so ridiculous to compare Obama to LBJ or JFK; the historical and political circumstances were completely different!)
Watergate changed everything!! After Watergate, Americans grew increasingly distrustful of government and that ironically played right into the hands of the Republican Party. I felt sorry for Jimmy Carter because he not only inherited the horrible economic politicies of Nixon/Ford, he also inherited the apathy of the American people. Reagan was able to craft a message that worked well, and the political right was able to manipulate the American voter, playing on racial fear and hatred, distrust of the government, the preeminence of the corporations. It worked. The conservative movement was able to do something phenomenal: marry corporate interests/anti-government sentiment with Christian values.
Thomas Frank's "What's the Matter With Kansas" and "The Wrecking Crew," along with Naomi Klein's "The Shock Doctrine," is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand why the political left is losing this war.
"Conservatives Without Conscience," by John Dean discusses pre- and post-Watergate sentiment and how conservatives were able to capitalize on that sentiment through clever messaging, imagery, and pro-corporate/anti-government propaganda.