The new electoral politics of race

"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.