rumor. but those white southern democrats were coexisting in a party that also included northern liberals, liberals that are adamant. those tension first came to a head in 1948, although after that election, a fragile peace was struck. but by the early 60s, it was utterly untenable. in 1964, lbj finally broke the southern filibuster in the senate and passed the civil rights act. his opponent in that fall's election was barry goldwater, a republican who had joined the southern filibuster. nationally, goldwater was a disaster. he was flown out from coast to coast. but in the south, especially the deep south, he was a hit! in south carolina, he took 59% of the vote. in alabama, 69%. in mississippi, 87%. yes, 87% for barry goldwater. this really was when the modern southern republican party was born. the voting rights act was passed a year later in 1965 and