Blue Dixie: Awakening the South's Democratic Majority

by Bob Moser

A powerful case for a new Southern strategy for the Democrats, from an award-winning reporter and native Southerner In 2000 and 2004, the Democratic Party decided not to challenge George W. Bush in the South, a disastrous strategy that effectively handed Bush more than half of the electoral votes he needed to win the White House. As the 2008 election draws near, the Democrats have a historic opportunity to build a new progressive majority, but they cannot do so without the South. In Blue Dixie , Bob Moser argues that the Democratic Party has been blinded by outmoded prejudices about the region. Moser, the chief political reporter for The Nation , shows that a volatile mix of unprecedented economic prosperity and abject poverty are reshaping the Southern vote. With evangelical churches preaching a more expansive social gospel and a massive left-leaning demographic shift to African Americans, Latinos, and the young, the South is poised for a Democratic revival. By returning to a bold, unflinching message of economic fairness, the Democrats can win in the nation’s largest, most diverse region and redeem themselves as a true party of the people. Keenly observed and deeply grounded in contemporary Southern politics, Blue Dixie reveals the changing face of American politics to the South itself and to the rest of the nation.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, American History, History

288 pages, Hardcover

First published August 19, 2008

Reviews

[Ryan]

A perfect companion piece to Dixie Rising, this book explores the mistakes Democrats have made over the last 40 years by writing off the South as unwinnable, and ceding it to the Republicans. Apparently, there are actually far more registered Democrats in the South than Republicans, and Southern states have more Democrats, and African Americans, in local and state positions than does any other region of the country. Moser argues that if Democrats truly courted Southern voters with issues of economic fairness and taxes (issues that, again, apparently Southerners as a whole align much more closely to with Democrats than with Republicans) they could easily win back Southern voters, and turn the South completely blue again. Published in 2008, there is a lot of information about the Republican and Democratic primaries, and a few pages about the punctured hope that John Edwards represented of being one of the few true, Southern, liberal, populist politicians in years.

I read the paperback, so it had a new afterword about Obama's election, and that Obama was smart enough to realize the energy and hunger the Southern Democratic base has for a populist, Democratic leader that actually treats them like human beings - and how well that paid off for him. Ultimately a very hopeful and enlightening book for someone like me that does truly love the South, and the people here, but cannot for the life of me figure out why they keep voting against themselves. This book helped me a lot to get some insight about that. It all seems to make perfect sense.

[Griff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great, timely read that I wish everyone I worked with had already read! It's no secret all Americans and especially southerners shy away from political cowardice and gravitate towards common sense, plainly stated public policy. I know from personal experience that the South is ready for a progressive message, and I think Moser did a good job compiling examples and interviews to back up that assertion. I wish there was a little more content or that the book had more to say about the last 6 years, but that's due to the publishing date and no fault of the author. Definitely recommended.

[Gabriel · Rating 4 out of 5]

10 years old now, but damning indictment of the Democratic Party's abandonment of the South and its voters.

[Moved to Library Thing adaorhell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Smart and cutting history of how the South became a "Republican Stronghold" and how that's a total lie. If politicians from the democratic party came down south and asked for our votes, Georgia, the Carolinas, Virginia, would be blue. We're seeing it now, Virginia will go blue again, and so will North Carolina. JUST PRETEND TO CARE ABOUT US!

[Marvin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the book until the afterword when Moser disparaged political scientists. It was full of interesting, entertaining anecdotes, but unlike political scientists there's no data to back up his claims.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truly excellent overview of how the Democrats lost the south since Clinton, and how they can get it back. Definitely recommended.

[Agatha Donkar Lund · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smart, thoughtful read about the politics of the American South, historically and currently -- and why everything you think you know about them is wrong.

[Joshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

in depth and knowledgeable insight into the past and present politics of the southeast. quick read for those interested

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good writing. Mostly a proponent of Howard Dean and his 50 state strategy. Many good points, with a few out in left field.

[Ashley Floyd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Compelling chapters on race and religion, but other chapters are a bit repetitive and can be skimmed. Long live Democrats!