Naturally, host Maddow did not correct Hamsher’s misleading claim that the GOP stood in the way of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. In reality, Republicans were great supporters of the legislation. Leave it to MSNBC to continue the left’s favorite myth that Republicans are against civil rights for blacks.
Of course, the truth is that the 1964 Civil Rights Act saw strong Republican support. In fact, of the total number of Republicans then serving in Congress support never dipped below 70% on any of the final vote counts. The original House version got 80% GOP support, the Senate version got 82% and the final vote in the House was 82% of Republicans in support. On the other hand, Congressional Democrats never saw higher than 69% of its membership in support of civil rights for blacks.
And who one of the leading voices in favor of passage? It was Illinois Senator Edward Dirksen, a Republican. Who was a leading voice opposing civil rights? Senator Robert Byrd, Democrat from West Virginia and still serving in that chamber.
Ya know, the worst part of this is that I know why Maddow thinks Republicans didn’t like or want the Act passed… Democrats have done a masterful job of erasing their Southern segregationist history, and have somehow managed to turn that past into a slam on Republicans for the racist past of the South. It’s a damn miracle!
Strom Thurmond was pilloried the entire time he was in the Senate, and yet Robert Byrd is given a place of honor, called the conscience of the Senate, and was even given the nod to run for President.
The problem with Maddow, and many like her, is that she relies on what she sees as “common sense” while never bothering to rely on something more powerful.
Facts.