Kevin Phillips, a strategist for Richard Nixon whose 1969 book The Emerging Republican Majority ushered in a new era in American politics, passed away earlier this week.
Giuliani won his mayoralty partly on the basis of this idea, explicitly targeting black New Yorkers as personified by Mayor Dinkins, and participating in the infamous cop riot outside City Hall.
Phillips is an interesting figure. I know he didn't invent the Southern Strategy, but codifying it as he did means he will forever be the person associated with its adoption by his party, a place in history he didn't seem to want.
I read one of his books decades ago, about peak oil, can't remember the title. He seemed really smart.
I was interested to learn more about the Philadelphia Plan and found this site - https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/philadelphia-plan-1967/ -- and was especially interested in this quote: "With skilled white construction workers rioting in favor of the president’s war agenda in May 1970, Nixon pivoted, abandoning the Philadelphia Plan. " -- Kevin, is this accurate?
PS, I attended Pace University where I learned about the Hard Hat Riot of May 1970 from first-hand witnesses - wondering if this was a part of Nixon's reversal.
The "hard hat riot" at Pace was a huge moment in his appeal to working class whites.
But I don't think they really abandoned the plan or, if they made noises about doing that, their announcement made any difference. It was still in place a year later when a lawsuit was launched against it.
Giuliani won his mayoralty partly on the basis of this idea, explicitly targeting black New Yorkers as personified by Mayor Dinkins, and participating in the infamous cop riot outside City Hall.
Phillips is an interesting figure. I know he didn't invent the Southern Strategy, but codifying it as he did means he will forever be the person associated with its adoption by his party, a place in history he didn't seem to want.
I read one of his books decades ago, about peak oil, can't remember the title. He seemed really smart.
I was interested to learn more about the Philadelphia Plan and found this site - https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/philadelphia-plan-1967/ -- and was especially interested in this quote: "With skilled white construction workers rioting in favor of the president’s war agenda in May 1970, Nixon pivoted, abandoning the Philadelphia Plan. " -- Kevin, is this accurate?
PS, I attended Pace University where I learned about the Hard Hat Riot of May 1970 from first-hand witnesses - wondering if this was a part of Nixon's reversal.
The "hard hat riot" at Pace was a huge moment in his appeal to working class whites.
But I don't think they really abandoned the plan or, if they made noises about doing that, their announcement made any difference. It was still in place a year later when a lawsuit was launched against it.
Thanks so much for this insight.