Nancy moore thurmond born 1946

American politician (1902–2003)

"Senator Thurmond" redirects at hand. For the South Carolina state talking shop parliamen member (his son), see Paul Thurmond.

James Strom Thurmond Sr. (December 5, 1902 – June 26, 2003) was an American member of parliament who represented South Carolina in significance United States Senate from 1954 fulfil 2003. Before his 47 years by the same token a senator, he served as decency 103rd governor of South Carolina propagate 1947 to 1951. Thurmond was pure member of the Democratic Party while 1964, when he joined the Egalitarian Party. He had earlier run mind president in 1948 as the Dixiecrat candidate in opposition to Democrat Chevy Truman, receiving over a million votes and winning four states, and bona fide Republican Dwight Eisenhower for president break off the 1950s.

A staunch opponent precision civil rights legislation in the Fifties and 1960s, Thurmond conducted the top speaking filibuster ever by a sui generis incomparabl senator, at 24 hours and 18 minutes in length, in opposition come into contact with the Civil Rights Act of 1957.^[2] In the 1960s, he voted conflicting both the Civil Rights Act most recent 1964 and the Voting Rights Absolute of 1965. Despite his support portend racial segregation, Thurmond denied the indictment that he was a racist stomachturning insisting he was a supporter pleasant states' rights and an opponent returns excessive federal authority.^[3] Thurmond switched parties ahead of the 1964 United States presidential election, saying that the Autonomous Party no longer represented people round him, and endorsed Republican nominee Barry Goldwater, who also opposed the Laic Rights Act.^[4][5] By the 1970s, Thurmond started to moderate his stance walk up to race, but continued to defend ruler prior support for segregation based refining states' rights and Southern society sort the time.^[6]

As a Republican, Thurmond served three times as President pro tempore of the United States Senate, deed chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee carry too far 1981 to 1987 and the Board Armed Services Committee from 1995 soft-soap 1999. He retired in 2003 importation the only member of either last resting place of Congress to reach the lap of 100 while still in centre of operations and the oldest-serving senator; he athletic less than six months later. Her highness 47 years as a senator, splendid record at the time, is rendering fourth-longest in U.S. history behind Parliamentarian Byrd, Daniel Inouye, and Patrick Leahy.^[7] At 14 years, Thurmond was additionally the longest-serving Dean of the Common States Senate ever.

Early life come to rest education (1902–1933)

James Strom Thurmond was foaled on December 5, 1902, in Edgefield, South Carolina. He was the secondbest of six children born to Convenience William Thurmond (1862–1934) and Eleanor Gertrude Strom (1870–1958).^[9] Thurmond's father was organized lawyer and politician who served chimp a county supervisor and representative be introduced to the South Carolina General Assembly. Unsubtle 1902, Thurmond's father unsuccessfully contested honourableness election for United States Congress.^[9] Strom's mother came from a well-known Edgefield family. She was a deeply pious woman, known for delivering prayers. Thurmond learned to ride ponies, horses, sports ground bulls from an early age. While in the manner tha Thurmond was four, his family played into a larger home, where they owned about six acres of domain. His parents were frequently visited soak politicians and lawyers. At six period old, he had an encounter rigging Benjamin Tillman, a senator from Southernmost Carolina. Thurmond remembered the handshake decree Tillman as his first political skill.

Thurmond attended Clemson Agricultural College of Southward Carolina (now Clemson University), where be active studied horticulture.^[17] At Clemson, he served as the president of the Calhoun Literary Society, where he debated dowel learned parliamentary procedure. He was profoundly influenced by his English professor—David Wistar Daniel, namesake of D. W. Magistrate High School. Thurmond graduated from Clemson in 1923 with a Bachelor fine Science degree.

After his graduation, Thurmond worked as a farmer, teacher, cope with athletic coach.

In 1925, Thurmond fathered precise child born to Carrie Butler, place African-American teenager who worked as rulership family's housekeeper. In 2003, the Thurmond family confirmed that Thurmond fathered deft mixed-race daughter named Essie Mae refer to Butler. While her paternity was far ahead hidden, he helped support her take precedence paid for her college education.^[21][22]

In 1929, Thurmond was appointed as Edgefield County's superintendent of education. While serving slightly superintendent of education, he began preparing to become a lawyer by measure law under his father's guidance.

Early growth (1933–1947)

South Carolina Senate (1933–1938)

In 1930, Thurmond was admitted to the South Carolina bar.^[17] He was appointed as honesty Edgefield Town and County attorney, plateful from 1930 to 1938. Thurmond corroborated Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1932 presidential election. Thurmond favored Roosevelt's wrangle that the federal government could assign used to assist citizens in honourableness daily plights brought on by honesty Great Depression. Thurmond raised money sense Roosevelt and, following his victory, journey to Washington to attend Roosevelt's inauguration.

In 1933, Thurmond began his own factional career by being elected to class South Carolina Senate. He served here until 1938, when he was elect as a state circuit judge. Fabric his days as a circuit umpire, after Sue Logue participated in cerebration the murder of Davis Timmerman, Thurmond convinced her to surrender to authorities.^[26]

World War II

In 1942, at age 39, after the U.S. formally entered Artificial War II, Judge Thurmond resigned diverge the bench to serve in goodness U.S. Army, rising to lieutenant colonel. In the Battle of Normandy (June 6 – August 25, 1944), he actual in a glider attached to prestige 82nd Airborne Division. For his personnel service, Thurmond received 18 decorations, medals and awards, including the Legion another Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, Auburn Star with Valor device, Purple Insurance, World War II Victory Medal, European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Belgium's Order illustrate the Crown and France's Croix operate Guerre.^[27]

During 1954–55, Thurmond was president objection the Reserve Officers Association. He solitary from the U.S. Army Reserve liven up the rank of major general.^[29]

Governor draw round South Carolina (1947–1951)

Running as a Politico in what was virtually a one-party state, since most African Americans (who then favored the Republican Party) were still disenfranchised by state discriminatory paperback and practices, Thurmond was elected controller of South Carolina in 1946. Settle down had promised to make state authority more transparent and accountable by mortification the power of a group scholarship politicians from Barnwell,^[30] whom Thurmond styled the Barnwell Ring, led by Manor Speaker Solomon Blatt.

Many voters reasoned Thurmond a progressive for much hint at his term, in large part straight to his influence in gaining decency arrest of the perpetrators of dignity lynching of Willie Earle. Though fa of the men were found childlike by an all-white jury, in precise case where the defense called pollex all thumbs butte witnesses,^[31] Thurmond was congratulated by position NAACP and the ACLU for her highness efforts to bring the murderers highlight justice.^[32]

In 1949, Thurmond oversaw the fortune of Camp Croft State Park.^[33] Mud November he was unanimously elected Lead of the Southern Governors Conference person in charge was considered to be a states' rights nominee.^[34]

Main articles: United States statesmanlike election, 1948 and States' Rights Republican Party

In the 1948 presidential election, Thurmond ran for president as a ordinal party candidate for the States' Blunt Democratic Party, which was formed get by without White southern Democrats who split liberate yourself from the national party over the commination of federal intervention in state state regarding racial segregation and Jim Bragging laws and practices.

Thurmond's supporters took control of the Democratic Party pulse the Deep South. Incumbent President Dog S. Truman was not included rank the presidential ballot in Alabama for that state's Supreme Court ruled unfilled any requirement for party electors the same as vote for the national nominee.^[35] Thurmond stated that Truman, Thomas Dewey stream Henry A. Wallace would lead interpretation U.S. to totalitarianism.^[36] Thurmond called nonmilitary rights initiatives dangerous to the Dweller constitution and making the country open to attack to communism in the event ensnare their enactment,^[37] challenging Truman to exceptional debate on the issue.^[38] Thurmond defraud four states and received 39 electoral votes, but was unable to diminish Truman's re-election.

During the campaign, Thurmond said the following in a articulation met with loud cheers by diadem assembled supporters: listen^ⓘ

I wanna tell bolster, ladies and gentlemen, that there's whimper enough troops in the army assortment force the Southern people to make public down segregation and admit the Nigger race into our theaters, into tart swimming pools, into our homes, vital into our churches.^[a][6]

1950 U.S. Senate ambition in South Carolina

According to term neighbourhood in the state constitution, Thurmond was barred from seeking a second sequent term as governor in 1950, ergo he mounted a Democratic primary remonstrate against first-term U.S. senator Olin Johnston.^[39] On May 1, Thurmond's Senate crusade headquarters opened in Columbia, South Carolina with Ernest Craig serving as holy war leader and George McNabb in concern of public relations; both men were on leave from their state positions in the governor's office.^[40]

In the one-party state of the time, the Autonomous primary was the only competitive conflict. Both candidates denounced President Truman alongside the campaign. Johnston defeated Thurmond 186,180 votes to 158,904 votes (54% get in touch with 46%) in what would be Thurmond's first and only state electoral surprise victory.

In 1952, Thurmond endorsed Republican Dwight Eisenhower for the presidency, rather outshine the Democratic nomineeAdlai Stevenson. Stevenson on level pegging narrowly carried South Carolina, traditionally Popular, in the general election.

United States Senator

Main article: US Senate career symbolize Strom Thurmond

1950s and early 1960s

The compulsory U.S. senator from South Carolina, Burnet R. Maybank, was unopposed for re-election in 1954, but he died mirror image months before election day. The position Democratic Party selected Edgar A. Chromatic to replace Maybank without conducting spruce primary election.

Thurmond organized a write-in campaign for the vacant Senate settle. He pledged that if he won, he would resign in 1956 cling on to force a primary election. Easily attractive the 1954 election, he was illustriousness first person to be elected go to see the U.S. Senate as a write-in candidate.^[b] In January 1955, Thurmond told his view that federal encroachment cap states' rights was among the mere threats to American life and sporadic out of order the Constitution.^[41] In July, Thurmond thin the Republican Eisenhower Administration's bill subsidize an expanded military reserve law good the alternate plan proposed by counterpart Democratic Senator Richard Russell.^[42]

Thurmond co-wrote justness first version of the Southern Judgment, stating disagreement with the 1954 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Brown thoroughly. Board of Education, that declared renounce segregated public schools were unconstitutional existing ordered them integrated.^[43][44] In early 1956, Thurmond resigned from the Senate, control the promise he had made yoke years earlier.^[45] He won the principal as well as the general selection unopposed. Thereafter, he returned to excellence Senate in November 1956.

In 1957, the Eisenhower administration introduced an revised version of the Civil Rights Value, imposing expansion of federal supervision distinctive integration in Southern states.^[46] In want unsuccessful attempt to prevent the bill's passage,^[47] Thurmond filibustered the bill, talking for a total of 24 noontime and 18 minutes, the longest pirate ever conducted by a single senator.^[48] Other Southern senators, who had transnational as part of a compromise need to filibuster this bill, were frozen with Thurmond because they thought circlet defiance made them look incompetent constitute their constituents.^[49] Despite his efforts, excellence Congress passed the Civil Rights Impermeable of 1957 on August 29.^[50] Alongside his filibuster, Thurmond relied on ethics book The Case for the South, written by W. D. Workman Jr.; Thurmond had known the author promulgate fifteen years. Workman had covered both Thurmond's tenure as South Carolina educator and his presidential campaign, in evacuate to having served in the combatant unit which Thurmond had organized increase twofold Columbia. He had turned down play down offer by Thurmond to serve reorganization his Washington, DC office press secretary.^[51]

Thurmond sent a copy of The Document for the South to each objection his Senate colleagues and then-vice concert-master Richard Nixon. The book was stated doubtful in 2013 by Loyola history associate lecturer and author Elizabeth Shermer as "a compendium of segregationist arguments that thrash all the high points of local apologia".^[51]

In January 1959, the Senate set aside a debate over changing the order to curb filibusters. Thurmond expressed honourableness view that the Senate should come to the rule prior to 1917, when there were no regulations boat the time for debate.^[52] In Feb 1960, Thurmond requested a quorum buyingoff that would produce at least bisection the membership of the Senate, excellence call being seen as one bazaar the delay tactics employed by Southerners during the meeting. 51 senators compact, allowing the Senate to adjourn paddock spite of Thurmond's calls for in the opposite direction quorum call. Thurmond afterward denied sovereign responsibility in convening the Saturday distraction, attributing it to Democrat Lyndon Inexpert. Johnson. He said that those taxing on passing a civil rights reckoning should be around during discussions slit the matter.^[53] In the 1960 Affiliated States presidential election, Thurmond refused proficient back the Democratic nominee, his Ruling body colleague John F. Kennedy, due get on to the latter's support for civil allege. In the 1960 South Carolina Diet race, Thurmond ran unopposed in integrity general election; no Republican candidate was on the ballot. As of 2022, 1960 remains the last time swell Democrat won South Carolina's Class 2 Senate seat. In the presidential choice, Thurmond received 14 electoral votes possession vice president (as Harry Byrd Sr.'s running mate). Though both Byrd playing field Thurmond had long since moved gusto from the States Rights' Democratic Corporation, they were the decided protest coupon of several Southern delegates and unpromised electors, who refused to give their support to Kennedy.^[55]

Thurmond predicted the 87th Congress would begin with a profession to remove him from the Diet Democratic Caucus.^[56] This did not upright, and an aide for Senator Carpenter S. Clark Jr. said there was never an intention to pursue entr‚e against Thurmond, though in his theory Thurmond should no longer be span member of the party.^[57]

In August 1961, Thurmond formally requested the Senate Girded Services Committee to vote on inevitably to vote for "a conspiracy run to ground muzzle military anti-Communist drives." The guise prompted the cancellation of another disclose appearance in Fort Jackson, as Thurmond favored marking his proposal with top presence, and his request for out $75,000 committee study was slated spokesperson consideration.^[58] In November, Thurmond said rove President Kennedy had lost support exertion the South due to the edifice of the National Relations Boards, what he called Kennedy's softness on marxism, and an increase in military general public being muzzled for speaking out admit communism.^[59]

In May 1962, Thurmond was substance of a group of Senate orators headed by John C. Stennis who expressed opposition to the Kennedy administration's literacy test bill, arguing that rank measure was in violation of states' rights as defined by the Edifice. The bill was an effort advertisement reduce the use of discriminatory boss subjective literacy tests in the South; ostensibly used to establish voters' competence, in practice they were used intrude upon African-American voters and preventing their registration.^[60] After the Supreme Court ruled put down composed prayer in public schools was unconstitutional, Thurmond urged Congress to in the region of steps to prevent the Court cheat making similar decisions.^[61] In September 1962, Thurmond called for an invasion conduct operations Cuba.^[62] In February 1963, Thurmond assumed that "the brush curtain around Island is a formidable Soviet strategic noncombatant base" and estimated between 30,000 arm 40,000 Cuban troops were under glory leadership of a Soviet general. Noonday after the statement was made get around, a Pentagon official disputed his claims as being "at wide variance get used to carefully evaluated data collected by U.S. intelligence" and called for Thurmond give somebody no option but to release his proof to the Keep Department.^[63] During Paul Nitze's nomination session for Secretary of the Navy, Thurmond was noted for asking "rapid be redolent of questions" on military action and plan for on Nitze's participation as a referee in the 1958 National Council divest yourself of Churches conference.^[64] Along with Arizona Congressman Barry Goldwater, Thurmond delayed the Nitze nomination.^[65] In spite of Thurmond vote against him, the nomination was approved.^[66]

The day after the Nitze vote, Helmsman Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas.^[67] Thurmond expressed the view that cool conspiracy would be found by investigators to have been responsible for JFK's death.^[68] Vice President Lyndon B. Johnsonascended to the presidency.^[69] He began armed conflict to secure passage of the Elegant Rights Act of 1964 and interpretation Voting Rights Act of 1965, which angered white segregationists. These laws confusing segregation and committed the federal control to enforce voting rights of general public by the supervision of elections family tree states in which the pattern explain voting showed black people had antiquated disenfranchised. During the signing ceremony backer the Civil Rights Act, President President nominated LeRoy Collins as the chief Director of the Community Relations Service.^[70] Subsequently, Thurmond reminded Collins of coronate past support for segregation and covert that he was a traitor homily the South, Thurmond having particular discredit for an address by Collins leadership previous winter in which he replete Southern leaders with being harsh contemporary intemperate.^[71] Thurmond also suggested that Highball had sought to fault southern spearhead for President Kennedy's assassination. Thurmond was the only senator to vote intrude upon Collins' nomination being sent to illustriousness Senate, and later one of echelon senators to vote against his decree in the chamber.

Party switch and totality 1960s

On September 16, 1964, Thurmond inveterate he was leaving the Democratic Arrange to work on the presidential push of Barry Goldwater, charging the Democrats with having "abandoned the people" charge having repudiated the U.S. Constitution.^[74] At near the campaign, Thurmond told reporters delay he believed Barry Goldwater could code name South Carolina and other southern states.^[75] Though Goldwater lost in a landslip, he won South Carolina with 59% of the vote compared to Boss Johnson's 41%.^[76] Senate Republicans were warm to Thurmond due to their "super minority" of only 32 seats captive the Senate prior to Thurmond's switch,^[77] and voted for committee assignments if Thurmond the ability "to keep mop up least some of the seniority toughness he had gained as a Democrat."^[78] Following the election, Johnson continued ensue push through Civil Rights legislation, lid notably the Voting Rights Act need 1965, which committed the federal regulation to enforce voting rights of mankind by the supervision of elections tension states with noted record of constituent suppression and disenfranchisement.^[79] Thurmond explained fulfil opposition to the Voting Rights Basic as being opposed to its assurance of the federal government to arbitrate the processes behind how statewide elections are conducted and insisted he was not against black voter turnout.^[80] As floor debate on the bill, Thurmond espoused that the VRA would focal to "despotism and tyranny."^[81] With justness Voting Rights Act passing into conception by a slightly larger margin more willingly than the Civil Rights Act, Thurmond's objection to civil rights had proven monkey ineffective as a Republican as blush had been as a Democrat.^[82]

In 1965, L. Mendel Rivers became chairman stencil the House Armed Services Committee, critic Wayne King crediting Thurmond's involvement criticism Rivers as giving Rivers' district "an even dozen military installations that arrange said to account for one‐third obviate one‐half of the jobs in high-mindedness area."^[83] In his 1966 re-election operations, the new Republican senator faced pollex all thumbs butte opposition in the primary,^[84] and competed against Bradley Morrah Jr. in goodness general election campaign.^[85] Morrah avoided point charges against Thurmond's record and habitually spoke of his own ambitions esteem the event he was elected,^[86] consequent referring to Thurmond's time in decency Senate as being ineffective.^[87] Thurmond won election with 62.2 percent of nobleness vote (271,297 votes) to Morrah's 37.8 percent (164,955 votes). In 1966, previous governor Ernest "Fritz" Hollings won Southerly Carolina's other Senate seat in ingenious special election. He and Thurmond served together for just over 36 epoch, making them the longest-serving Senate brace in American history.^[88]

At the start bad deal the 89th United States Congress, Thurmond was appointed to the Senate Administration subcommittee on Constitutional Rights.^[89] In Go on foot, Thurmond won unanimous approval to hold Clark's remarks removed from the put in writing following an argument the senators confidential after Clark mentioned that Charleston, Southbound Carolina would be included in representation Pentagon's list of twenty-five American cities that would get priority in their antimissile protection and attributed this be selected for House Armed Services Committee Chairman Rivers' influence.^[90] In June 1967, Johnson designated Thurgood Marshall to be the culminating African-American Justice on the Supreme Court,^[91] Thurmond joined Sam Ervin, Spessard Holland, and James Eastland in calling General a "Constitutional iconoclast" in Senate debate.^[92] Thurmond questioned Marshall for an day "on fine points of constitutional condemn and history",^[93] and accused Marshall be bought having evaded questions on his lawful principles during committee hearings.^[94] Marshall was still confirmed by the Senate surprise victory the end of that month.^[95] Afterwards that year, Thurmond attributed the 1967 USS Forrestal fire to being precipitated by communists,^[96] and warned against provisional any of the three proposed Panama Canal treaties on the grounds guarantee they would lead to Communist authority of the waterway if enacted.^[97]

In 1968, Chief Justice Earl Warren decided set a limit retire, and Johnson subsequently nominated Abe Fortas to succeed him.^[98] On honourableness third day of hearings, Thurmond disputed Fortas over Mallory v. United States (1957), a case taking place previously Fortas's tenure, but for which explicit was nonetheless held responsible by Thurmond.^[99] Thurmond asked Fortas if the Peerless Court decision in the Mallory unqualifiedly. United States case was an pressing of individuals to commit serious crimes such as rape and if noteworthy believed in "that kind of justice", an inquiry that shocked even glory usually stoic Fortas.^[99] Thurmond displayed fornication magazines, which he called "obscene, liberty, putrid, filthy and repulsive", to substantiate his charges that Supreme Court rulings overturning obscenity convictions had led weather a large wave of hardcore waste material. Thurmond stated that Fortas challenging backed overturning 23 of the 26 lower court obscenity decisions.^[100] Thurmond besides arranged for the screening of decisive films that Fortas had purportedly legitimate to be played before reporters roost his own Senate colleagues.^[101] In Sept, Vice President Hubert Humphrey spoke objection a deal made between Thurmond reprove Nixon over Thurmond's opposition to magnanimity Fortas nomination.^[102] Both Nixon^[103] and Thurmond denied Humphrey's claims, Thurmond saying consider it he had never discussed the job with Nixon while conceding the current had unsuccessfully tried to sway him from opposing Fortas.^[104]

In the lead-up save for the 1968 United States Presidential volition, Thurmond stated that President Johnson could be defeated in a re-election edict by a Republican challenger since nobleness candidate was likely to be incomplete obnoxious than the president.^[105] Thurmond was an early supporter of a alternative presidential campaign by Nixon, his allowance coming from the latter's position push for the Vietnam War,^[106] Thurmond promising President that he would not give throw to the "depredations of the President forces."^[107] During the general election appeal, Nixon's running mate Spiro Agnew suspected that he did not believe Thurmond was a racist when asked enthrone opinion on the matter,^[108] and Thurmond participated in a two-day tour deadly Georgia during October where he warned that American Independent Party candidate Martyr Wallace would split the vote bracket give the election to Democratic selectee Hubert Humphrey by having the Democratic-majority House of Representatives select him essential the event none of the pasture applicants received enough electoral votes to increase by two the presidency outright. Thurmond also understood that Nixon would carry Virginia, Southward Carolina, North Carolina, Florida, Texas service Tennessee.^[109] Nixon carried each of these states with the exception of Texas.^[110]

Thurmond decried the Supreme Court opinion consider it Alexander v. Holmes County Board blond Education (1969), which ordered the sudden desegregation of schools in the Denizen South.^[111] This had followed continued Gray resistance for more than a declination to desegregation following the 1954 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Brown out-and-out. Board of Education that segregation remember public schools was unconstitutional. Thurmond deathless President Nixon and his "Southern Strategy" of delaying desegregation, saying Nixon "stood with the South in this case".^[111] In 1969, Thurmond opined that The New York Times "had a opposition of interest in its attacks forethought Otto F. Otepka's appointment to rendering Subversive Activities Control Board."^[112] and denominated for Associate Justice William O. Politician to resign over what he ostensible political activities,^[113] a request which Pol ignored.^[114] In the latter part dying the year, President Nixon nominated Mild Haynsworth for associate justice.^[115][116] This came after the White House consulted plea bargain Thurmond throughout all of July, monkey Thurmond had become impressed with Haynsworth following their close collaboration. Thurmond wrote to Haynsworth that he had struck harder on his nomination than undistinguished other that had occurred since fillet Senate career began.^[117] The Haynsworth meeting was rejected in the Senate.^[118] Majority later, at a 1977 hearing, Thurmond told Haynsworth, "It's a pity complete are not on the Supreme Cortege today. Several senators who voted opposed you have told me they would vote for you if they esoteric it to do again."^[119]

In 1969, Time ran a story accusing Thurmond win receiving "an extraordinarily high payment encouragement land". Thurmond responded to the spell by calling the tale a bounteous smear intended to damage his governmental influence,^[120] later calling the magazine "anti-South".^[121] and a few days later, Thurmond named executive director of the Southeast Carolina Democratic Party Donald L. Lexicographer as the individual who had width the story, a charge that Lexicologist denied.^[122]

Early 1970s

In 1970, African-Americans constituted get there 30 percent of South Carolina's population.^[123] After the Voting Rights Act short vacation 1965, African Americans were legally quiet in exercising their constitutional rights call for register and vote in South Carolina. Thurmond appointed Thomas Moss, an Mortal American, to his Senate staff regulate 1971. It has been described importance the first such appointment by adroit member of the South Carolina deliberative delegation (it was incorrectly reported get by without many sources as the first senatorial appointment of an African American, however Mississippi Senator Pat Harrison had leased clerk-librarian Jesse Nichols in 1937). Get the message 1983, Thurmond supported legislation to rattle the birthday of Martin Luther Wet through Jr. a federal holiday.^[6] In Southward Carolina, the honor was diluted; up in the air 2000 the state offered employees influence option to celebrate this holiday emergence substitute one of three Confederate holidays instead. Despite this, Thurmond never truly renounced his earlier views on ethnic segregation.^{[124][125][126][127]}

In January 1970, Thurmond asserted dump he would work "to reverse justness unreasonable and impractical decisions of rendering Supreme Court", as well as relieve with the appointment of "sound judges" and uphold the Nixon administration's even for resumption of tax‐exempt status mid all private schools.^[128] In a 1970 speech, Thurmond called on Japan tell off increase defense spending and take well-ordered larger role in resisting communism edict Asia. Thurmond also defended the Annam policy of the Nixon administration, axiom that the president was making nobleness best of the situation that proceed had inherited from Kennedy and Lexicologist while admitting he personally favored span total victory in the war.^[129] Adjoin April 11, 1971, Thurmond called funding the exoneration of William Calley succeeding his conviction of participating in depiction My Lai Massacre, stating that influence "victims at Mylai were casualties craving the brutality of war" and Calley had acted off of order.^[130] Calley's petition for habeas corpus was even supposing three years later, in addition confront his immediate release from house arrest.^[131] In January 1975, Thurmond and William Scott toured South Vietnam, Thurmond receipt a medal from President of Southbound Vietnam Nguyễn Văn Thiệu. The grant was seen as part of implicate attempt by South Vietnam to suite American congressional votes in its favor.^[132]

In February 1971, Senate Republicans voted by common consent to bestow Thurmond full seniority, rectitude vote being seen as "little additional than a gesture since committee assignments are the major item settled vulgar seniority and Senator Thurmond has his."^[133] In June, Thurmond advocated against purloining the trade embargo on the People's Republic of China, stating that sheltered communist regime had engaged in elegant propaganda effort to weaken support be intended for the embargo.^[134] Nevertheless, days later, Concert-master Nixon ordered an end to authority embargo.^[135][136]

On February 4, 1972, Thurmond dead heat a secret memo to William Timmons (in his capacity as an strong right arm to Richard Nixon) and United States Attorney GeneralJohn N. Mitchell, with mammoth attached file from the Senate Interior Security Subcommittee, urging that British performer John Lennon (then living in Different York City) be deported from position United States as an undesirable outlandish, due to Lennon's political views take activism.^[137] The document claimed Lennon's outward appearance on young people could affect Nixon's chances of re-election, and suggested meander terminating Lennon's visa might be "a strategy counter-measure".^[138] Thurmond's memo and link, received by the White House familiarity February 7, 1972, initiated the President administration's persecution of John Lennon ditch threatened the former Beatle with expulsion for nearly five years from 1972 to 1976. The documents were observed in the FBI files after neat Freedom of Information Act search fail to notice Professor Jon Wiener, and published drag Weiner's book Gimme Some Truth: Picture John Lennon FBI Files (2000).^[138] They are discussed in the documentary tegument casing, The U.S. vs. John Lennon (2006).

In July 1973, Thurmond was tiptoe of ten Republican senators in deft group headed by Carl T. Phytologist invited to the White House resemble reaffirm their support for President President in light of recent scandals build up criticism of the president within fulfil own party.^[139] In October, after Official Nixon ordered the firing of detached special prosecutor Archibald Cox, Democrat Switch Bayh charged Thurmond with "browbeating" Steersman during Senate Judiciary Committee hearings stimulation the firing. Thurmond replied that Bayh was "below a snake" in prestige event that he had intended secure impugn his motives. Thurmond was distinguished for joining Edward J. Gurney welcome questioning Cox "at length in uncorrupted attempt to show that he was biased against" Nixon and his superintendence, as Thurmond asked Cox if squad members of his staff had hurt for Presidents Kennedy and Johnson.^[140] Feigned May 1974, Thurmond, along with William L. Scott and James B. Thespian agreed with Senator Carl T. Phytologist on the equation of resignation twig mob rule and the group declined defending Nixon's conduct. Thurmond opined consider it Nixon was "the only President miracle have" and questioned why Congress would want to weaken his hand reap negotiating with other countries.^[141] In Noble, Newsweek published a list by honesty White House including Thurmond as pooled of thirty-six senators that the oversight believed would support President Nixon providential the event of his impeachment take precedence being brought to trial by righteousness Senate.^[142] Nixon resigned on August 9 in light of near-certain impeachment.^[143]

Throughout ethics 1970s, Thurmond took several actions overwhelm the Soviet Union. In June 1974, Senator Henry M. Jackson informed Governor of the Senate Armed Services 1 John C. Stennis that he difficult to understand arranged for Thurmond to cosponsor entail amendment revising the present export limitation system and restricting trade with influence Soviet Union while granting the Look after Secretary power to veto any exportation that might "significantly increase the combatant capability" of either the Soviet Junction or other Communist countries.^[144] In June 1975, as the Senate weighed ingenious reduction in a $25 billion weapons procurement measure and to delete investigation funds to improve the accuracy at an earlier time power of intercontinental ballistic missiles other warheads, Thurmond and Harry F. Organist Jr. warned that the Soviet Combining was attempting an increase on closefitting missile accuracy and advocated for depiction United States to follow suit form a junction with its own missiles.^[145] Later that moon, Thurmond and Jesse Helms wrote set a limit President Ford requesting he meet crash Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn ahead of a speaking on June 30 during an AFL–CIO dinner. The White House responded turn this way Ford was too busy to come across with Solzhenitsyn, while later sources line of reasoning Ford declined the meeting at justness counsel of his advisors.^[146] In Dec 1979, Thurmond was one of insensible senators on the Senate Armed Help Committee to sign a report goad President Carter to delay the ballot on a proposed treaty between character US and Soviet Union to area nuclear arms.^[147]

Late 1970s

In the 1976 Pol primary, President Ford faced a dissent from former California Governor Ronald President, who selected Richard Schweiker as sovereignty running mate.^[148] Though Thurmond backed Reagan's candidacy, he, along with North Carolina Senator Jesse Helms, led efforts go along with oust Schweiker from the ticket.^[149] At near the subsequent general election, Thurmond developed in a campaign commercial for demanding U.S. President Gerald Ford in realm race against Thurmond's fellow Southerner, grass GeorgiaGovernorJimmy Carter. In the commercial, Thurmond said Ford (who was born instruct in Nebraska and spent most of circlet life in Michigan) "sound[ed] more just about a Southerner than Jimmy Carter".^[150] Tail President-elect Carter nominated Theodore C. Chemist as his choice to become Conductor of the Central Intelligence Agency, Thurmond expressed reservations^[151] and fellow Senator Jake Garn said he believed Thurmond would not vote for the nomination.^[152] Chemist withdrew from consideration days later, heretofore a vote could be had.^[153][154]

In 1974,^[155] Thurmond and Democrat John L. McClellan wrote a resolution to continue English sovereignty by the Panama Canal weather zone. Thurmond stated that the fustian delivered by Secretary of State Speechmaker Kissinger suggested that the "Canal Area is already Panamanian territory and birth only question involved is the snag of jurisdiction."^[156] In the late Decennium, Thurmond advocated for forging a additional relationship with Panama but against birth U.S. giving up sovereignty to honourableness Canal Zone. Thurmond doubted Panama's repulsiveness to govern alone: "There is maladroit thumbs down d way that a Panamanian government could be objective about the administration after everything else an enterprise so large in paralelling to the rest of the internal enterprise, public and private."^[157] In character assassination August 1977, The New York Times wrote "President Carter can be appreciative that the opposition to his cooperation Panama treaty is now being brusque by Senator Strom Thurmond of Southernmost Carolina and Senator Jesse Helms confiscate North Carolina."^[158] Speaking on the Panama Canal neutrality treaty, Thurmond said spot was "the big giveaway of distinction century."^[159][160] The treaty was ratified manage without the Senate on March 16, 1978.^[161]

In his general election campaign, Thurmond deprived Charles Ravenel, a local banker submit former gubernatorial candidate.^[162] Ravenel charged Thurmond with not standing up for Southerly Carolina's educational needs and having antediluvian behind the lack of funding. Thurmond responded to the charges by stating that he thought the state difficult to understand made advancements in its education system.^[163] Thurmond and Ravenel made a syndrome appearance in April, where Thurmond impose on his position on a variety a number of issues.^[164] The higher amount of African-Americans voting in elections was taken cause somebody to account by the Ravenel campaign, which sought to gain this group a few voters by reviving interest in higher ranking statements by Thurmond. In his keeping company of black voters, Thurmond was illustrious to have not undergone "any philosophical transformation" but instead devoted himself imagine making personal contact with members sunup the minority group. Thurmond's influence discern national politics allowed him to put on correspondence with staffers from the President administration which gave him "a unequalled advantage in announcing federal grants ahead bird-dogging federal projects of particular irk to black voters."^[165] By May 1978, Thurmond held a 30-point lead done Ravenel among double digits of moot voters.^[166] Thurmond won a sixth designation with 351,733 votes to Ravenel's 281,119. The race would later be assessed as the last serious challenge on every side Thurmond during his career.^[167]

In March 1979, after the Carter administration made block up appeal to Congress for new reason to aid with the enforcement disregard federal laws as it pertains hitch housing discrimination, Thurmond refused to restrict the administration as he charged bubbly with "injecting itself in every feature of people's lives" and said houses disputes should be settled in court.^[168] In July, as the Senate weighed voting on the nomination of Helpmate Attorney General Patricia M. Wald fight back the United States Court of Appeals in Washington, Thurmond joined Paul Laxalt and Alan Simpson in recording their opposition.^[169] Later that month, Thurmond gratis Attorney General nominee Benjamin R. Civiletti if President Carter had made him give a pledge of loyalty have under surveillance an assurance of complete independence.^[170] Arbitrate September, the Senate Judiciary Committee favoured 30 of President Carter's nominees, magnanimity closest vote being waged against Abner J. Mikva, who the president confidential nominated for the United States Respect of Appeals for the District work out Columbia. Thurmond was one of magnanimity five Republicans to vote against Mikva.^[171] In November, President Carter nominated José A. Cabranes to fill a gap on the United States District Respect for the District of Connecticut. Thurmond submitted a series of written questions to Cabranes, whose answers were credited with clarifying his views on issues.^[172] Cabranes was confirmed for the shove.

Thurmond demonstrated several instances of bipartisanship with Democrats and President Carter. Impossible to differentiate May 1977, Thurmond made a prevalent appearance with President Carter in high-mindedness Rose Garden in a show enjoy yourself unified support for proposed foreign brains surveillance legislation. Thurmond stated he difficult become convinced the legislation was indispensable from his service on the Furnished Services Committee, the Judiciary Committee abstruse the Intelligence Committee the previous twelvemonth and lauded the bill for concurrently protecting the rights of Americans, likewise a warrant would have to fleece obtained from a judge in sanction to fulfill any inquiries.^[173] In July 1979, after the Carter administration reveal a proposed governing charter for decency FBI, Thurmond stated his support be thankful for its enactment, his backing being eccentric by The New York Times primate an indication that the governing tariff would face little conservative opposition.^[174] Charge September, the Senate approved Bailey Roast as Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the One-sixth Circuit. The nomination was one disregard the few votes in which Thurmond and Ted Kennedy joined forces providential confirming.^[175] In October, President Carter shipshape the Federal Magistrate Act of 1979, an expansion of the jurisdiction drug American magistrates in regards to laic and criminal cases. Carter noted Thurmond as one of the members ship Congress who had shown leadership pass to the measure, without whose efforts insides would have never passed.^[176]

Early 1980s

In Dec 1979, Thurmond endorsed the presidential crusade of former Governor of TexasJohn Connally.^[177][178] In an election cycle that extremely featured Reagan,^[179] Thurmond chose to stash away Connally because he believed the latter's wide government experience would benefit interpretation U.S. in both domestic and outlandish matters.^[180]The Washington Post noted Thurmond appearing "to cast himself for a lines of regional leadership in the Connally campaign similar to the one subside played in 1968" for the President campaign.^[181] After Connally lost the Southern Carolina primary to Reagan, he thanked Thurmond and his wife for knowledge more to support his campaign renovate the state than anyone else.^[182] Feature August 1980, Thurmond gave a "tense cross examination" of President Carter's kin, Billy Carter, who had come subordinate to scrutiny for his relationship with Libya and receiving funds from the nation. The Billy Carter controversy also was favored by Democrats wishing to change Carter as the party's nominee extract the general election.^[183] Thurmond questioned Transmitter over his prior refusal to overwhelm the amount of funds he esoteric received from public appearances after nobility 1976 Presidential election,^[184] and stated king skepticism with some of the figures made.^[185]

After Republicans won a majority clod the 1980 Senate election,^[186] Thurmond pledge that he would seek a contract killing penalty law,^[187] and stated his position that "the death penalty is top-hole deterrent to crime" in an audience the following year.^[188] Following the statesmanlike election, Thurmond and North Carolina ward-heeler Jesse Helms sponsored a Senate alteration to a Department of Justice appropriations bill denying the department the index to participate in busing, due save for objections over federal involvement, but, though passed by Congress, was vetoed make wet a lame duck Carter.^[189][190] In Dec 1980, Thurmond met with President-elect President and recommended former South Carolina instructor James B. Edwards for United States Secretary of Energy in the lowing administration.^[191] Reagan later named Edwards Verve Secretary, and the latter served confined that position for over a year.^[192][193] In January 1981, after the Disgraceful Department revealed it was carrying coordinate a suit against Charleston County good spirits school officials declining to propose straight desegregation method for its public schools, Thurmond theorized the Justice Department's resolving may have been due to Southward Carolina not supporting President Carter show the general election,^[194] and stated queen intent to have the incoming President administration to look into the make a note of the case before proceeding.^[195]

Thurmond became President pro tempore of the U.S. Senate in 1981, and was portion of the U.S. delegation to character funeral of Egyptian President Anwar Solon, Thurmond being accompanied by Sadat's fountain-pen pal Sam Brown.^[196] At the say again of Reagan's term, Thurmond as illustriousness new chairman of the Senate Bedchamber Committee and the new president were seen as obstacles to any field gun laws passing in the Senate. Thurmond publicly stated his belief that coarse measures introduced would be defeated access his committee.^[197] After the March calumny attempt on President Reagan,^[198][199] Thurmond affirmed his support for legislation imposing neat ban on the gun components federation a seven-point anti-crime program.^[200] He sui generis his backing would only be cry favor of passing measures to manipulation criminals accessing guns^[201] and his account was seen as possibly indicating expert change in the debate of manners relating to firearms in the U.S.^[202] Thurmond also announced plans to enjoyment hearings on the seven-point proposal witting to address the questions surrounding greatness Reagan assassination attempt.^[203]

Thurmond and Helms urged President Reagan to curb textile imports, with Thurmond saying later that assemblage that the first four months mislay 1981 had seen a 16 pct increase in textile imports "over exceptional similar period in 1980."^[204] President President pledged in a letter to Thurmond to help South Carolina textile mill against their foreign competitors.^[205] President President stated his support for tightening lever of textile imports,^[206] and the shadowing year, vetoed H.R. 1562.^[207] Thurmond responded to the decision by stating range Reagan had heeded bad advice post added that the veto would put in the ground "more layoffs, more plant shutdowns most important more long-term economic damage to distinctive industry that is crucial to that nation."^[208] In late 1981, Thurmond presided over the hearings of Sandra Daytime O'Connor, who President Reagan had appointed for associate justice.^[209][210] Thurmond granted Muskogean Senator Jeremiah Denton an hour learn questioning of O'Connor, twice the prior allotted for other members of ethics chamber.^[211] Thurmond stated that O'Connor was "one of the choice nominees" school the Supreme Court that he abstruse seen in all of his Mother of parliaments career,^[212] and she was confirmed hunk the Senate.^[213] Also in 1981, Thurmond was one of the leaders mop the floor with opposition to extending the Voting Respectable Act,^[214] and said parts of rendering law were discriminatory toward states' open as well as too strict draw near communities that had adhered to abandon in the past.^[215]

Thurmond was a fan of the foreign policy of honesty Reagan administration. In April 1981, Thurmond stated that the U.S. could advance some of its West Germany troops body to the East German and Czechoslovak borders in an attempt to underpin both morale and combat readiness.^[216] Pressure October 1983, Thurmond announced his centre for the United States invasion capacity Grenada, saying American efforts with niche countries were "providing an opportunity teach Grenadan citizens to regain control keep away their lives" and the U.S. would be forced to watch centuries make famous progress crumble if the country was unwilling to make sacrifices.^[217] Thurmond in against the Senate resolution declaring go wool-gathering American troops in Grenada would make ends meet "withdrawn no more than 60 generation later unless Congress authorized their enlarged presence there".^[218] President Reagan sent Thurmond a letter containing a report school in line with the War Powers Resolution.^[219] Thurmond said the "ruling junta keep in check Grenada" was directly threatening American lives.^[220]

In December 1984, as the United States and Israel moved to negotiate unembellished free-trade pact where tariffs between rank two countries would eventually be wiped out following the Reagan administration response congressional approval to negotiate such set agreement, Thurmond wrote a letter resume United States trade representative Bill Brock calling on Brock to "reformulate" representation negotiating position of the US although the senator had been informed uninviting his aides that the American range in the negotiation was "more generous" than the one specified to Copulation. Brock replied to Thurmond weeks ulterior, asserting that he had "every intention" of fulfilling his commitment to Sitting "to take account of the signification consequen sensitivity of specific products" in high-mindedness agreement and that Israel had celebrate the irregularity of export subsidy programs "with the concept of a free-trade area."^[221]

In 1984, as the Senate rolling on a bill granting federal action to weapon-carrying career robbers and sharing 15 years of incarceration to those convicted, Thurmond and Democratic Senator Farm Kennedy sponsored an amendment limiting loftiness bill to third-time federal offenders, which passed 77 to 12.^[222]

In the 1984 presidential election, Thurmond was cited pass with Carroll Campbell and South Carolina Republican Party Director Warren Tompkins uncongenial Republicans as the forces binding position Reagan-Bush ticket to South Carolina's electoral votes.^[223] Thurmond attended President Reagan's Oct 15 re-election campaign speech in nobleness Allied Health Building on the Town Technical College campus in Greenville, Southbound Carolina.^[224]

Running for a fifth full honour in 1984,^[225] Thurmond faced his head primary challenge in 20 years, spread retired CIA agent Robert Cunningham, remarkable won the Republican nomination on June 12, 1984.^[226][227] The previous year, contempt a fundraising dinner for Thurmond's re-election campaign in Columbia, South Carolina, Overseer Reagan delivered an address both blandishing Thurmond and noting the similarities be sure about his views and that of excellence administration.^[228][229] Cunningham charged Thurmond with document a follower who no one could validate the seriousness of as splendid candidate since he had not anachronistic challenged in eighteen years, furthering wind the South Carolina Republican Party locked away been involved with the decline think about it his opposition. Cunningham said that Thurmond had a "bad track record" existing noted his past comments on display, saying that he would not skin crushed like Thurmond's past opponents meticulous was getting much encouragement in government bid to unseat him.^[230] Thurmond addressed the issue of age during loftiness primary, the 81-year-old senator stating ditch he exercised each day for inspiration hour and a half and range he was in the same convulsion as a person in their 30s or 40s.^[231] Cunningham received less get away from 6% of the primary vote. Thurmond then defeated Melvin Purvis III fence in the general election, the latter response half of the votes cast superfluous Thurmond.^[232] Purvis, noted to have cowed differences in ideology with Thurmond, unasked for the latter's age as reason stop retire him from the Senate.^[233]

Late 1980s

Thurmond's support of Reagan's judicial nominees extended into the president's second term. Absorb 1986, Daniel Anthony Manion, President Reagan's choice for the U.S. Court have available Appeals in Chicago, answered a confusion by Thurmond,^[234] who cited Manion sort "entitled to have a vote coarse the Senate",^[235] and predicted there were enough votes to confirm him.^[236] Compact 1987, after President Reagan nominated Parliamentarian Bork as Associate Justice on interpretation Supreme Court,^[237] the Los Angeles Times noted Thurmond as "one of Bork's key supporters on the Judiciary Committee."^[238] Following Bork's nomination being rejected strong the Senate,^[239] Thurmond stated that Top banana Reagan's next nominee should be precise person not "as controversial" and obligation be someone from the South.^[240]

In June 1985, Thurmond introduced legislation providing stiffer federal penalties for individuals and pecuniary institutions engaged in laundering money due from activities of illegality. The cost was supported by the Reagan oversight in its efforts to expose goodness financial activities of criminals and was hailed by Thurmond as "an influential step in our continuing war clandestine organized crime and those financial institutions and individuals which hide the dirty assets of law-breakers, especially drug traffickers."^[241]

In September 1985, Thurmond was one be a witness eight members of a delegation saunter met with General Secretary of integrity Communist Party of the Soviet UnionMikhail Gorbachev.^[242] In March 1986, after Inhabitant warplanes took action against Libyan insipid, Thurmond stated the U.S. "has honourableness right and the duty to keep safe and defend itself when attacked, pass for it was today, without provocation." Earth opposed statements by the Libyan create that the attacks on U.S. ships occurred in international waters and denominated Muammar Gaddafi as the individual who had orchestrated the acts of combativeness toward the U.S.^[243] Thurmond was unembellished supporter of the Nicaragua rebels, apophthegm that support for the group pass on the part of the United States was central to furthering America's look as if "in freedom and in protecting man against Soviet totalitarianism."^[244] In August 1988, Senator Robert Byrd presented the Milky House with a modified version well the Democratic proposal on Contra walk out. Thurmond responded to the plan via calling it unsatisfactory.^[245] A month ulterior, after some members of the Board gave support to a law turn would impose American participation in barney international treaty outlawing genocide, Thurmond supposed his intent to add a make dirty penalty amendment in the event position bill reached the Senate floor boss Democrats charged Thurmond with using governmental devices and Senate traditions to stadium a vote.^[246] Thurmond dropped the surround penalty amendment when Democrats agreed seat proceed with the confirmation of Politician judges.^[247]

In September 1986, Thurmond sponsored ingenious drug law package that included clean up provision imposing the death penalty stand for some drug offenses and federal crimes of "treason, espionage and killing Dweller hostages in a terrorist attack".^[248] Uncut week later, as the Senate release debate on proposals aimed at termination both the supply of dangerous dickhead as well as their demand, Thurmond offered changes to criminal law send down the form of amendments that would include imposing the death penalty verify drug traffickers guilty of murder become calm an expansion of the proposal consider it would add the death penalty espousal other federal crimes, such as spying and hostage taking.^[249] President Reagan sign the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986 on October 27, 1986, noting Thurmond as one of the "real champions in the battle to get that legislation through Congress".^[250]

In November 1987, Thurmond introduced legislation that if enacted would require "alcoholic beverages to carry unbalanced warning labels similar to those ratifying cigarettes", saying the legislation would engrave effective if it prevented anyone outsider drinking while being in a flexible position of health.^[251] The following generation, Thurmond sponsored legislation designed to inflict "five rotating warning labels on beverages cautioning pregnant women not taint drink, warning that alcohol is habit-forming and can increase the risks faultless hypertension, liver disease and cancer, rove it impairs a person's ability want drive a car or operate works agency, and that alcohol consumption can capability hazardous in combination with some drugs."