Wallace in '76 Primary?

[RINO Tom]

I think it was mostly blue-collar conservatives, urban and rural.

Seeing as there was nothing conservative about Wallace besides MAYBE his racism (if you're the type of person who actually considers racism to be an inherently conservative trait), I doubt it.

As for the OP, there are tons of bitter, racist populists outside of the South, and that was Wallace's voter.

[RINO Tom]

I think it was mostly blue-collar conservatives, urban and rural.

Seeing as there was nothing conservative about Wallace besides MAYBE his racism (if you're the type of person who actually considers racism to be an inherently conservative trait), I doubt it.

As for the OP, there are tons of bitter, racist populists outside of the South, and that was Wallace's voter.

Different definition of conservatism, buddy. Same as with Trump supporters. Not some academic, hoity-toity "constitutional government" types who've read Burke. No, these are people who've seen the "toriehood of change" and are quite scared of it so, yes, they'll vote to retain the American way of life as they understand it. The man won South Boston in '76 for God's sake.

And I see nothing conservative about South Boston, at least certainly not more conservative in nature than a DuPage County suburb that couldn't care less about gay marriage but enthusiastically sends Mark Kirk to DC.  I mean, only somewhat related, but is supporting the continuation of (aka "conserving") long-standing liberal or progressive programs/institutions a conservative view?  At what point does it become one?

[RINO Tom]

I think it was mostly blue-collar conservatives, urban and rural.

Seeing as there was nothing conservative about Wallace besides MAYBE his racism (if you're the type of person who actually considers racism to be an inherently conservative trait), I doubt it.

I think he was considered a rather conservative candidate.  He may have renounced his racism, but I imagine most still thought of him as socially conservative on nearly every other issue.

I guess I was thinking more economically ... I'm really not aware of any of his stances on issues like abortion, honestly.