AHC/WI: Earlier Southern Strategy?

In 1960, the Republicans didn't really have a Southern Strategy. Rather, Nixon's working-class roots attracted many Southerners to the GOP. It was in 1964 that a Southern Strategy was really created.

For a Southern Strategy to come into play, you need the Democrats to move to the left on social issues and the Republicans to move to the right on social issues earlier. How? Well, FDR thought of making a Northern Democratic Party with Wendell Wilkie due to anger towards the conservatism of the Southern Democrats, but Wilkie's death stopped all of that. So, let's say Wilkie lives for some time. In 1944, he forms a "National Union" with FDR, as his running mate. So they win by a 1932-esque margin (which likely discredits Dewey). Then FDR dies on schedule and Wilkie ascends to the presidency. He does a not bad job as president (better than Truman), but still not too good. Wilkie also pisses off Dixiecrats by desegregating the army (further amplified by him being a northerner). In 1948, the Republicans nominate Bob Taft, and the Democrats, strangely enough, nominate Wilkie, which causes the South to bolt from the Democrats. Wilkie's appeals to blacks and liberal Republicans leads to him prevailing over Taft by a fair margin despite the split. It leads to the Democrats realizing that they can win without the South, and the Republicans realizing that there is a split for them to make use of. In 1952, after Wilkie being stuck in the Korea quagmire, the Republicans take a more conservative strategy, and successfully win with the South's support.
 
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