Elected public figures and the KKK

[Lincoln Republican]

Keep in mind the Democrats receive 90% of the black vote and the Republicans receive 10% of the black vote.

Following is a listing of elected public figures from the 20th century who have had confirmed or alleged ties to the Ku Klux Klan.


Confirmed membership in the KKK

Robert Byrd, Democrat, U.S. Senate West Virginia

Hugo Black, Democrat, U.S. Senate Alabama, Associate Justice U.S. Supreme Court

Theodore G Bilbo, Democrat, Governor Mississippi, U.S. Senate Mississippi

Edward L Jackson, Republican, Governor Indiana

Rice W Means, Republican, U.S. Senate Colorado

Clarence Morley, Republican, Governor Colorado

Bibb Graves, Democrat, Governor Alabama

Clifford Walker, Democrat, Governor Georgia

George Gordon, Democrat, U.S. House of Representatives Tennessee

John Tyler Morgan, Democrat, U.S. Senate Alabama

Edmund Pettus, Democrat, U.S Senate Alabama

John Brown Gordon, Democrat, Governor Georgia, U.S. Senate Georgia

John Clinton Porter, Democrat, Mayor Los Angeles California

David Duke, Democrat, Republican, Louisiana State House of Representatives

Benjamin F Stapleton, Democrat, Mayor Denver Colorado


Alleged membership in the KKK

Warren G Harding, Republican, President United States

Harry S Truman, Democrat, President United States


Total 17

Democrats 12.5     73,5%     With KKK ties

Republicans 4.5     26.5%      With KKK ties


Just sayin'

[The Govanah Jake]

Yes. The Democrats were once the party of the South and the White Southern Vote while the republicans were the party of the north and abolitionism/equal rights. This lead to the Klan being mostly a democratic founded and lead by democratic organization with very few republicans from roughly the 1880s to sometime around Reagan when the Democrats abandoned the white southern vote as a main anchor for electoral succsss for northern (and western) pro-civil rights moderates and liberals. This is not disputed and 73% of those being democrats shouldn't be a surprise. But that was the past and if your trying to equate the modern Democratic Party (or republicans for that matter) to being still/currently a party of the Klan is misguided. Also just because the party used to be favorable to the Klan isn't going to win the black vote for republicans. They vote for democrats, not because they were once a southern white party, but because they agree with there economic and social message. If republicans want to appeal then they are going to have to go into those black majority areas and speak of issues that matter for them. Low Taxes and limited government in a soft tone isn't a winning strategy for this either. Reagan, the bushes, McCain, and Romney all tryed this and and got less then 15% of the vote. Things like police reform are a good starting issue or a moderation of economic policy is another. This appeal should not be towards  lower income blacks since they will vote democratic no matter what due to economic policy. But towards wealthy and middle class blacks which could give republicans a good 15-30% of there vote every election. A party of socially moderation or liberalism and economic moderation or slight conservativism would be a good point to win these voters.

[Lincoln Republican]

Thank you for your insight.

I agree with  your assessment.

[Kleine Scheiße]

Harding's membership is particularly contentious. More of a rumor than a serious allegation, I'd even say.

[AtorBoltox]

trump pls deport

[Bismarck]

The KKK ruled Indiana in the 20s and was only brought down by a sex scandal.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

We all know that, Winfield. And it's still irrelevant as far as modern parties are concerned. The whole notion of hereditary historical guilt is ridiculous. "Hey, I would've easily vote for Democrats due to political issues, but that Edmund Pettus guy..."

And you forgot about James Eli Watson.

[Lincoln Republican]

We all know that, Winfield. And it's still irrelevant as far as modern parties are concerned. The whole notion of hereditary historical guilt is ridiculous. "Hey, I would've easily vote for Democrats due to political issues, but that Edmund Pettus guy..."

And you forgot about James Eli Watson.

I am simply bringing historical facts into context.

And with all due respect, I very much doubt that everyone knows the facts in this matter.

[AtorBoltox]

You’re quite transparently trying to make some stupid point about how the Democrats are the ‘real racists’. Everyone knows your schtick and is very bored by it

[Lincoln Republican]

You’re quite transparently trying to make some stupid point about how the Democrats are the ‘real racists’. Everyone knows your schtick and is very bored by it

Thank you for your valuable input.

Much appreciated.

[Statilius the Epicurean]

Conservatives were the real racists. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservative_coalition

[smoltchanov]

Conservatives were the real racists. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservative_coalition

And a lot of members of this coaliton were Democrats (mostly - Southern). Really - a LOT More then fifty in late 40th-50th, more then 35 - even in 70th, and so on....

[Statilius the Epicurean]

Conservatives were the real racists. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservative_coalition

And a lot of members of this coaliton were Democrats (mostly - Southern). Really - a LOT More then fifty in late 40th-50th, more then 35 - even in 70th, and so on....

Yes, conservatives including those in the Democratic party were the real racists. As it has always been.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

We all know that, Winfield. And it's still irrelevant as far as modern parties are concerned. The whole notion of hereditary historical guilt is ridiculous. "Hey, I would've easily vote for Democrats due to political issues, but that Edmund Pettus guy..."

And you forgot about James Eli Watson.

I am simply bringing historical facts into context.

No, you're bringing contemporary facts out of context.

[Lincoln Republican]

We all know that, Winfield. And it's still irrelevant as far as modern parties are concerned. The whole notion of hereditary historical guilt is ridiculous. "Hey, I would've easily vote for Democrats due to political issues, but that Edmund Pettus guy..."

And you forgot about James Eli Watson.

I am simply bringing historical facts into context.

No, you're bringing contemporary facts out of context.

Good play of words, I must say.

[smoltchanov]

We all know that, Winfield. And it's still irrelevant as far as modern parties are concerned. The whole notion of hereditary historical guilt is ridiculous. "Hey, I would've easily vote for Democrats due to political issues, but that Edmund Pettus guy..."

And you forgot about James Eli Watson.

I am simply bringing historical facts into context.

No, you're bringing contemporary facts out of context.

Those, who fail to remember history and it's lessons, will repeat the errors of the past again and again...

[All Along The Watchtower]

The KKK ruled Indiana in the 20s and was only brought down by a sex scandal.

And they ruled through their control of the Republican Party.

[smoltchanov]

The KKK ruled Indiana in the 20s and was only brought down by a sex scandal.

And they ruled through their control of the Republican Party.

Yes. Just as in some other cases. But it was uncomparable to almost all South, where they mostly controlled state Democratic parties...