vcczar Posted September 22 Share Posted September 22 Harry F. Byrd of VA dominated his state for 40 years. He was arguably FDR's biggest interparty opponent. If anyone wanted to point to a time when Southern Democrats were on their way to becoming Southern Republicans, it's the 2nd New Deal when conservative Democrats join conservative Republicans to oppose the New Deal and liberal GOPers join FDR and most Democrats in supporting the 2nd New Deal. His actions: Byrd, Harry F 1926 As Gov of VA takes control of state political machine reframed as the Byrd Organization Byrd, Harry F 1928 Breaks w/ many traditionalist Southerners in supporting Al Smith, a Catholic, for president Byrd, Harry F 1932 Dem pres cand Byrd, Harry F 1932 Declines VP offer from FDR because he thinks he can win nomination at conv Byrd, Harry F 1935 Lead role in creating Shenandoah National Park Byrd, Harry F. 1937 joins Dem conservative bloc against FDR, arguably becoming its leader Byrd, Harry F. 1941 attacks agency expenditures Byrd, Harry F. 1943 harasses war agencies Byrd, Harry F. 1943 leads kill of National Youth Administration Byrd, Harry F. 1944 Received protest votes at Convention but not formally a nominee Byrd, Harry F. 1944 may leave Dems if federal soldier ballot Byrd, Harry F. 1948 Refuses to endorse Truman's reelection Byrd, Harry F. 1949 runs pet spending-cuts committee Byrd, Harry F. 1952 Refuses to endorse Stevenson as Dem nom Byrd, Harry F. 1952 Received protest votes in general election Byrd, Harry F. 1954 Leads massive resistance to Brown v Board of Education overturning school segregation Byrd, Harry F. 1954 Authors pro-segregation Southern Manifesto Byrd, Harry F. 1955 Influential Senate Finance Committee Chair. Served 10 yrs -- high Eisenhower tax, JFK tax cuts Byrd, Harry F. 1956 Major role in passing Interstate Highway Act Byrd, Harry F. 1956 Drafts Stanley Plan aimed to ensure racial segregation in VA Byrd, Harry F. 1956 Receives protest votes in pres election, while not being a candidate Byrd, Harry F. 1957 drives for spending cuts Byrd, Harry F. 1958 VA Byrd orgzn calls for massive resistance Byrd, Harry F. 1960 wins electoral votes in Deep South as a a states rights, pro-segregation independent Byrd, Harry F. 1962 implacable opponent of Medicare Byrd, Harry F. 1963 stalls on Kennedy tax cut Byrd, Harry F. 1964 Major role in both blocking and then passing Revenue Act of 1964 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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