Radicalism in american politics

[thrillhouse]

the two most radical factions in american history have been part of the GOP, yet fall on totally opposite sides of the political spectrum; the Radical Republicans of Reconstruction and the Tea Party Republicans of today. why do you think the GOP evolved from a radically liberal party using federal power to reach its goals into a party of far right obstructionists and proponents of states' rights?

[Ryo]

Buncha reasons - the most important of which is the unholy alliance with religious fundamentalism. Racists fled the democratic party in the 60s during the civil rights movement and set up shop there, and what evolved is a contradictory pile of $#@!

[FCHorn]

why do you think the GOP evolved from a radically liberal party using federal power to reach its goals into a party of far right obstructionists and proponents of states' rights?

Hmmmmmm.....hypocrisy?

[FCHorn]

Buncha reasons - the most important of which is the unholy alliance with religious fundamentalism. Racists fled the democratic party in the 60s during the civil rights movement and set up shop there, and what evolved is a contradictory pile of $#@!

What are the "buncha reasons" again?

So what is your definition of the Dem party before all the racists left?

[thrillhouse]

What are the "buncha reasons" again?

So what is your definition of the Dem party before all the racists left?

before the new deal coalition the democratic party was mostly people always supporting states' rights in combination with harming, oppressing, or owning someone.

[thrillhouse]

to me there's five main reasons the republican party is where it is today.

1. the new deal coalition ending the fourth party system
2. the civil rights act and barry goldwater's reactionary campaign in 1964
3. nixon's full on assault on the new left in his 68 campaign
4. karl rove exploiting the evangelical vote to get w reelected in 04 and thus giving them a legitimate political voice.
5. grover norquist's tax pledge