quote:
Either way, it is interesting watching Trump supporters refer to traditional Republicans as being Republican “in name only,“ when those Trump supporters were often voting Democrat only a decade or two ago.

This is not very accurate.

Usually this argument centers on the South.

No question Southerners voted Democrat from the destruction of the Whig party and the rise of the Republican Party in the mid 1800s.

But, in the 1928, the GOP (Hoover) won Texas 20, Oklahoma 10, Kentucky 13, Tennessee 12, Virginia 12, North Carolina 12, and Florida 6. Total electoral votes 85. The Democrat (Smith) won Arkansas 8, Louisiana 10, Mississippi 10, Alabama12, Georgia 14, and South Carolina.9. Total 63. GOP, Southern victory.

Then back to Solid South 1932, 100% Democrat (FDR). 1936, 100% FDR. 1940 100% FDR. 1944, 100% FDR.

Now 1948, reflecting a schism in the Democratic Party, the Democrat (Truman) won Texas 23, Oklahoma 10, Arkansas 9, Kentucky 11, Tennessee 11, Virginia 11, North Carolina 14, Georgia 12, and Florida 8. The “States Rights Democrat”, Thurmond ( the only Dixiecrat to ever switch to the GOP

) won Louisiana 10, Mississippi 9, Alabama 11, and South Carolina 8. Republicans didn’t win any.

The Republicans return in 1952, Eisenhower won Texas 24, Oklahoma 8, Tennessee 11, Virginia 12, and Florida 10. Total 65. And Democrat, Stevenson won Kentucky 10, Arkansas 8, Louisiana 10, Mississippi 8, Alabama 11, Georgia 12, South Carolina 8, and North Carolina 14. Total 81. Democrats won but GOP substantial.

1956, GOP wins Texas 24, Oklahoma 8, Kentucky 10, Tennessee 11, Louisiana 10, Virginia 12, and Florida 10. Total 85. And Democrats, Arkansas 8, Mississippi 8, Alabama 10, Georgia 12, South Carolina 8, and North Carolina 14. Total 60. GOP victory again.

1960 return of Dixiecrats. Byrd Sr, father of Byrd J. who eventually became an Independent but always caucused with the Democrats, won 1 of Oklahoma 8, all of Mississippi 8, and 6 of Alabama 11. Total 15. GOP won 7 of Oklahoma, Kentucky 10, Tennessee 11, Virginia 12, and Florida 10. Total 50. And JFK won Texas 24, Arkansas 8, Louisiana 10, 5 of Alabama 11, Georgia 12, South Carolina 8, and North Carolina 14. Total 81. Democrats win. But GOP substantial.

1964, Goldwater, GOP wins Louisiana Mississippi Alabama Georgia South Carolina and North Carolina. Total 47. LBJ 98.

The Solid South was not so solid!

1968, Nixon and GOP win 74. Democrats 25, and Dixiecrat Wallace 46.

1970, political strategist Kevin Phillips, popularized Southern Strategy where GOP would go after “racist white Southerners” with adoption of state rights. The Southern Strategy is a myth. Politicians go after every vote they can get. GOP won substantial GOP votes in 1928, 1952, 1956, 1960, 1964, and 1968. Notice most dates before Civil Rights Acts? The GOP and the South became compatible from Ike.

Most Blue Dog Democrats stayed Democrats until DEATH.