Black Politics, the GOP Southern Strategy, and the Reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act

Abstract

The extension of the temporary provisions of the 1965 Voting Rights Act sailed through Congress and was signed into law by President George Bush on July 27, 2006 without any major turbulence. The absence of major politics over its renewal in 2006 is striking when compared to the partisan battles in its 1982 extension. President Bush and the Republicans had an opportunity to water down the VRA, given that Blacks appear less politically radical or extremely liberal than in the 1980s. But GOP leaders did not pursue a southern strategy by contesting the VRA. Their reluctance confirms that Black power is solid. Black members of Congress framed the issue in a way that the administration recognized that blacks and minorities would mobilize if VRA renewal was challenged in a significant way.

Recommended Citation

Tate, Katherine (2006) "Black Politics, the GOP Southern Strategy, and the Reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act," The Forum: Vol. 4 : Iss. 2, Article 1.
DOI: 10.2202/1540-8884.1128
Available at: http://www.bepress.com/forum/vol4/iss2/art1