Republicans in 1964 used voter suppression tactics, targeting minority voters through intimidation and disinformation.
Barry Goldwater's nomination marked a shift towards suppressing votes of those opposed to civil rights, setting a precedent for future voter suppression efforts.
Deep dives
Lyndon Johnson and Hubert Humphrey's Election Campaign Struggles
During the 1964 campaign, Lyndon Johnson, feeling physically worn out, thanked Hubert Humphrey for his hard work. Johnson expressed frustration over misleading newspaper ads from a conservative group that discouraged black people from voting, highlighting the efforts to suppress voter turnout through intimidation tactics and disinformation.
Historical Context of Voter Suppression Tactics in 1964
The 1964 election showcased voter suppression tactics by the Republican Party, aiming to deter Democratic voters, especially black and Latino populations, from voting. Operation Eagle Eye, a national poll watching strategy, intimidated voters in 1964, resembling modern voter suppression attempts seen in the present day.
Barry Goldwater's Presidential Nomination and Voter Suppression Strategy
Barry Goldwater's nomination by Republicans in 1964, despite opposing the Civil Rights Act, signaled a shift towards targeting white voters opposed to civil rights and limiting minority voter turnout. The strategic focus on suppressing votes through poll watching and disinformation campaigns set a precedent for future voter suppression efforts.
Long-standing Impact of Voter Suppression and Judicial Influence
The legacy of voter suppression tactics like Operation Eagle Eye extended beyond the 1964 election, influencing later political strategies and judicial appointments. Efforts to diminish voting rights continued post-1964, with Supreme Court decisions amplifying restrictions and setting the stage for contemporary battles over voting rights and allegations of election fraud.
Republicans claim the election was stolen. They use those claims to justify suppressing people’s right to vote. All of it happening amid a national reckoning on race. Rachel Maddow and Isaac-Davy Aronson tell the story of a time uncannily similar to our own – in the early 1960s. And how it’s both a parallel to our present moment and the origin of conflicts playing out today.