Regarding Nixon’s 1968 “southern strategy” and the use of code words and phrases:
And the guy goes on to say that LBJ’s Great Society programs were perceived as benefiting minorities, the poor, and other despised groups.
So, the political tactic is to appeal to racist beliefs without being blatant about it. There’s even a third level that if African-Americans, liberals or other supporters of civil rights call you out, you can accuse them of being overly sensitive.
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Now, all the same, please take this and tension it with the oft-repeated claim that Ronald Reagan did not have a racist bone in his body.