This could be a "History for Amnesiacs" post if I had done the research. But instead, it's a Bernstein self-Catch of the Day wherein he catches a guest writer for the National Review fibbing about the GOP's and Dems' roles in the civil rights struggles. A current conservative talking point is that the Dems were segregationists and the GOP were heroes in the civil rights struggles (scoff, scoff). And, of course, Robert Byrd was KKK, DIDN'T YOU KNOW THAT!!!!!!!
The comments by Kylopod and Anon are informative. The comments by the NRO writer (Kevin Williamson) are lies, and that's what I call them right there. Plain writing and zero deference for liars--that's what I strive for.
Update 2/15/13. This is a better analysis of the GOP's admirable role in civil rights legislation and their strategies in the 60's and beyond. There was a time long ago when the National Review aimed for truth about civil rights.
Update 6/14/16. Another interesting article about party alignment on civil rights issues. I'm not sure how accurate it is, but it's definitely worth reading. Note how it doesn't discuss anything beyond the 1960's. Are we supposed to assume GOPers are still for segregation?
Update 11/15/19. No surprise, but I still see conservatives pretend that the racial sins of the Democratic Party in the past are somehow still relevant and operative now. Then, a breath or two later, they'll deny there was a Republican southern strategy. This isn't new, but it's an oldie that keeps turning up. Bruce Bartlett proposed this view in the book Wrong on Race. Kevin Williamson (writer for the National Review) and too many commenters keep this fable going.
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