In 1960, Lyndon B. Johnson exposed the psychological tactics of Southern populism, telling staffer Bill Moyers: "If you can convince the lowest white man he's better than the best colored man, he won't notice you're picking his pocket. Hell, give him somebody to look down on, and he'll empty his pockets for you.
"This quote reveals how Southern politicians historically weaponized race to distract poor white voters, keeping them loyal to a political movement that acted against their own economic interest.
However, critics argue that Johnson ultimately used this exact playbook to his own advantage. When his civil rights agenda caused the Democratic Party to lose the white South to the Republicans, Johnson pivoted. He repurposed the tactic, using his Great Society federal welfare programs to bind Black Americans and poor white folks into a permanent, dependent, and reliable new voting bloc to secure power.
