The "Dixiecrats," Southern Democrats who opposed all of the mid-60s Civil Rights Laws, were no better than the KKK. However, they left en-masse when LBJ got those laws passed, with help from Everett Dirksen and Senate Republicans. These racists were later wooed by Nixon into joining the GOP as part of his "Southern Strategy." I both "lived it," and read history. I suggest you read ALL the facts.