WESTMINSTER WEST — In the 1960s the Republican party formed a “Southern strategy” that sought to attract southern, white conservatives by appealing to their racial resentment around the civil rights gains made in the 1950s and 1960s. The presidential campaigns of Barry Goldwater and Richard Nixon were among the most notable.
In 1980, Ronald Reagan, the revered icon of the Republican party, launched his presidential campaign just a few miles from Philadelphia, Miss., the site where the infamous 1964 civil rights murders took place.
His speech gave a vigorous call for the return and strengthening of “states' rights.” Many viewed the speech as an appeal for the vote of white conservative racists.
For decades, the Republicans have been aggressively gerrymandering districts with the goal of disbursing large blocs of low-income and minority voters, groups who typically vote Democratic, into several larger districts so their votes would be swallowed up, thus thwarting any chance to effect change through the voting process.
In the last decade, Republican tactics to reduce the vote count of low-income and minority voters has escalated in both intensity and variety: disenfranchisement through strict voter ID laws with requirements that make it all but impossible for many to vote; reducing early voting; deceptive flyers and robocalls that disseminate misinformation about voting dates, polling locations, and who is eligible to vote; targeted purging of voter lists; stationing belligerent poll watchers who intimidate voters - all in the name of reducing rampant voter fraud, which has been proven to be all but nonexistent.
Year after year, Republicans rail against illegal immigrants while at the same time looking the other way as these workers pick produce and clean toilets, living in the shadows and accepting less than the minimum wage, working excessively long hours under dangerous conditions for fear that their employers would turn them in if they complain or report the abuses.
Decade after decade, Republican shock-jock foot soldiers have spouted xenophobic and misogynistic rants and spread egregious lies about anyone they perceived to be an enemy, making millions off their obscene, hate-filled messages. The airwaves and Internet are still filled with their full-throated endorsement of hate.
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Given the often-sordid history of this party's tactics and messages, how can “establishment” Republicans possibly be surprised by the rise of Donald Trump? They have spent decades paving the way for this greedy, mean, xenophobic misogynist. Trump has ignited the ugly fire of hatred - hatred fueled by ignorance, desperation, and fear. Trump is the Republican's Frankenstein monster, and it is their responsibility to destroy his candidacy.
The 24/7 Trump-obsessed media bear some responsibility as well. They need to snap out of it and give all the other candidates some serious coverage. I predict history will not look kindly on the media's handling of Trump's candidacy.
Some say that Trump has no chance of winning the presidency. Consider: if the race ends up being between Trump and Clinton, the many Republicans who all but foam at the mouth at the thought of another Clinton in the White House. If they plug their noses and join forces with Trump's current supporters, a President Trump is within the realm of possibility.
This election is not some tawdry, mean-spirited reality show. It is as real as it gets.
Considering his temperament, lack of experience, and ignorance, even just one term of Trump could have devastating consequences for our country and further taint our already-diminished standing in the world.
The Republicans need to defeat their unctuous monster - pronto.