The new electoral politics of race
By: Matthew J. Streb.
Publisher: University of Alabama Press
Published: 2002
Place of publication: Tuscaloosa
Language: eng
Number of pages: 259
Subjects: Political campaigns -- United States; Racism -- Political aspects -- United States; United States -- Politics and government -- 1989-; United States -- Race relations -- Political aspects
Description: "Historically, race has always been at the heart of American politics. Southern elections revolved almost entirely around racial issues during the 1950s and 1960s as debates raged over integration of schools, voting rights, and busing patterns. The election of George Wallace as governor of Alabama in 1962 underscored the electoral power of racial rhetoric, not only in Alabama but throughout the South and the entire country.

Almost 40 years later, segregation is no longer legal, tensions between blacks and whites may have lessened, and the influx of large numbers of African Americans into the electorate has forced politicians to court black voters.".

"Matthew Streb finds, however, that although extreme racial rhetoric has disappeared from the modern campaign trail, voters are still polarized along racial lines. By comparing gubernatorial campaigns in four southern and three northern states - Alabama, Georgia, Arkansas, Virginia, Ohio, Iowa, and Massachusetts - the author examines how candidates use race in their campaign strategies.

He demonstrates that race indeed remains a significant factor in American elections even when it is couched in alternative issues, such as affirmative action, profiling, and social welfare."--BOOK JACKET.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. [241]-249) and index.
Table of contents: title: The racial puzzle; title: Examining the racial puzzle; title: Alabama : exploiting racial fears; title: Georgia : playing the race card and losing; title: Arkansas : building a new relationship of trust; title: Virginia : building new bridges; title: A regional difference? the case of Ohio; title: Iowa and Massachusetts : race as a non-issue; title: Toward a solution to the racial puzzle.