Senator Theodore Bilbo – Prophet of Racism

                Intro.: A Moment in Time with Dan Roberts.

                Content: In the American South during the early part of the 20^th century, among the most successful politicians were the demagogues. Recognizing the frustrations and fears of lower middle-class and poor whites, they combined populist attacks on aristocratic whites, railroads and entrenched business interests with overt appeals to racism. Pitchfork Ben Tillman, Cotton Ed Smith, George Wallace, and in his early campaigns, Strom Thurmond, all supported comparatively progressive policies while in office, but secured election by playing the race card. They defended white supremacy with a stridency that overwhelmed their more moderate opponents.