Ronald Reagan States' Rights Speech in Philadelphia, MS

it's not only the rhetoric you dummy, it's the place too

Reagan had chosen this infamous, TINY town (of all America!!) to kick off his campaign, right after the GOP convention. Lots and lots of symbolism here!! If you fail to see it, well, you're a moron.
I can assure you that everybody got it at the time and Reagan was a race baiter.

It's still just a campaign

"restore states' and local communities' those functions that belong there "

I've seen Mississippi Burning (the movie),
" states' rights, community level, local level etc " we know what that means in the context of the place and its history...
what a racist scumbag!!

Only a racist would think that speech was racist.

what a wonderful party we have here...80% white who knew....... they will always be the party of rich powerful whites... that's what the republican party stands for not so called family values but racial dived and conqueror

What a surprise, Ronald Reagan sucking up to the KKK crowd in Mississippi. Typical Republican.

? Sounds like he was a realistic guy , take responsibility for yourself...govern yourself..let the diversity bread the best ideas and inovation..get out of the peoples way and let them go-

I will work very hard to restore your right to abuse black folks as you see fit with no interference from the Feds. Do what you want, you need not worry about forced integration anymore.

Just another pandering, stuffed suit who would do ANYTHING to get elected. Nuff said.

The KKK was in attendance and they endorsed him the next day. Coincidence?

There is not a chance in hell that he was NOT appealing to Southern racists by going to Philadelphia, MS, and using the battle cry of "states' rights" a mere 16 years after the notorious tragedy. Why else would he go to such a remote place and use those specific words? There are thousands and thousands of cities and towns across 50 states to choose from. Why Philadelphia, MS? Why states' rights? To say anything else is to rewrite history.