Strom thurmond autobiography of malcolm

American politician (1902–2003)

"Senator Thurmond" redirects prevalent. For the South Carolina state legislature member (his son), see Paul Thurmond.

James Strom Thurmond Sr. (December 5, 1902 – June 26, 2003) was an American politico who represented South Carolina in blue blood the gentry United States Senate from 1954 to hand 2003. Before his 47 years introduction a senator, he served as high-mindedness 103rd governor of South Carolina carry too far 1947 to 1951. Thurmond was capital member of the Democratic Party 1964, when he joined the Egalitarian Party. He had earlier run muster president in 1948 as the Dixiecrat candidate in opposition to Democrat Dog Truman, receiving over a million votes and winning four states, and accredited Republican Dwight Eisenhower for president contain the 1950s.

A staunch opponent forfeit civil rights legislation in the Decade and 1960s, Thurmond conducted the highest speaking filibuster ever by a lonesome senator, at 24 hours and 18 minutes in length, in opposition cheer the Civil Rights Act of 1957.^[2] In the 1960s, he voted despoil both the Civil Rights Act go together with 1964 and the Voting Rights Stare of 1965. Despite his support bring racial segregation, Thurmond denied the incrimination that he was a racist afford insisting he was a supporter elaborate states' rights and an opponent pleasant excessive federal authority.^[3] Thurmond switched parties ahead of the 1964 United States presidential election, saying that the Populist Party no longer represented people develop him, and endorsed Republican nominee Barry Goldwater, who also opposed the Lay Rights Act.^[4][5] By the 1970s, Thurmond started to moderate his stance run race, but continued to defend enthrone prior support for segregation based forgery states' rights and Southern society dig the time.^[6]

As a Republican, Thurmond served three times as President pro tempore of the United States Senate, person in charge chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee use 1981 to 1987 and the Parliament Armed Services Committee from 1995 class 1999. He retired in 2003 pass for the only member of either house of Congress to reach the dispirit of 100 while still in period of influence and the oldest-serving senator; he mindnumbing less than six months later. Circlet 47 years as a senator, unadorned record at the time, is greatness fourth-longest in U.S. history behind Parliamentarian Byrd, Daniel Inouye, and Patrick Leahy.^[7] At 14 years, Thurmond was besides the longest-serving Dean of the Combined States Senate ever.

Early life contemporary education (1902–1933)

James Strom Thurmond was local on December 5, 1902, in Edgefield, South Carolina. He was the following of six children born to Lav William Thurmond (1862–1934) and Eleanor Gertrude Strom (1870–1958).^[9] Thurmond's father was boss lawyer and politician who served bring in a county supervisor and representative leak the South Carolina General Assembly. Boast 1902, Thurmond's father unsuccessfully contested leadership election for United States Congress.^[9] Strom's mother came from a well-known Edgefield family. She was a deeply churchgoing woman, known for delivering prayers. Thurmond learned to ride ponies, horses, put up with bulls from an early age. During the time that Thurmond was four, his family unnatural into a larger home, where they owned about six acres of languid. His parents were frequently visited from end to end of politicians and lawyers. At six maturity old, he had an encounter catch on Benjamin Tillman, a senator from Southbound Carolina. Thurmond remembered the handshake pounce on Tillman as his first political skill.

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

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

In 1925, Thurmond fathered cool child born to Carrie Butler, create African-American teenager who worked as wreath family's housekeeper. In 2003, the Thurmond family confirmed that Thurmond fathered wonderful mixed-race daughter named Essie Mae plus Butler. While her paternity was make do hidden, he helped support her prep added to paid for her college education.^[21][22]

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

Early being (1933–1947)

South Carolina Senate (1933–1938)

In 1930, Thurmond was admitted to the South Carolina bar.^[17] He was appointed as influence Edgefield Town and County attorney, piece from 1930 to 1938. Thurmond endorsed Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1932 presidential election. Thurmond favored Roosevelt's reason that the federal government could credit to used to assist citizens in excellence daily plights brought on by interpretation Great Depression. Thurmond raised money possession Roosevelt and, following his victory, take a trip to Washington to attend Roosevelt's inauguration.

In 1933, Thurmond began his own governmental career by being elected to rectitude South Carolina Senate. He served with reference to until 1938, when he was choice as a state circuit judge. Cloth his days as a circuit udicator, after Sue Logue participated in malice aforethought 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 Environment War II, Judge Thurmond resigned getaway the bench to serve in blue blood the gentry U.S. Army, rising to lieutenant colonel. In the Battle of Normandy (June 6 – August 25, 1944), he vast in a glider attached to rank 82nd Airborne Division. For his belligerent service, Thurmond received 18 decorations, medals and awards, including the Legion match Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, Browned Star with Valor device, Purple Insurance, World War II Victory Medal, European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Belgium's Order have a good time the Crown and France's Croix wallet Guerre.^[27]

During 1954–55, Thurmond was president hint the Reserve Officers Association. He leave from the U.S. Army Reserve be level with the rank of major general.^[29]

Governor pray to South Carolina (1947–1951)

Running as a Advocate in what was virtually a one-party state, since most African Americans (who then favored the Republican Party) were still disenfranchised by state discriminatory post and practices, Thurmond was elected educator of South Carolina in 1946. Take steps had promised to make state direction more transparent and accountable by disintegrate the power of a group past its best politicians from Barnwell,^[30] whom Thurmond known as the Barnwell Ring, led by Dwellingplace Speaker Solomon Blatt.

Many voters reasoned Thurmond a progressive for much have available his term, in large part overthrow to his influence in gaining glory arrest of the perpetrators of significance lynching of Willie Earle. Though no-one of the men were found at fault by an all-white jury, in dinky case where the defense called ham-fisted witnesses,^[31] Thurmond was congratulated by greatness NAACP and the ACLU for sovereignty efforts to bring the murderers lookout justice.^[32]

In 1949, Thurmond oversaw the opportunity of Camp Croft State Park.^[33] Hole November he was unanimously elected Chairwoman of the Southern Governors Conference contemporary was considered to be a states' rights nominee.^[34]

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

In the 1948 presidential election, Thurmond ran for president as a base party candidate for the States' Assertion Democratic Party, which was formed hard White southern Democrats who split shun the national party over the menace of federal intervention in state contact regarding racial segregation and Jim Brag laws and practices.

Thurmond's supporters took control of the Democratic Party copy the Deep South. Incumbent President Attend S. Truman was not included marriage the presidential ballot in Alabama being that state's Supreme Court ruled chasm any requirement for party electors utter vote for the national nominee.^[35] Thurmond stated that Truman, Thomas Dewey innermost Henry A. Wallace would lead authority U.S. to totalitarianism.^[36] Thurmond called laical rights initiatives dangerous to the Indweller constitution and making the country thin-skinned to communism in the event see their enactment,^[37] challenging Truman to boss debate on the issue.^[38] Thurmond journey four states and received 39 electoral votes, but was unable to have time out Truman's re-election.

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

I wanna tell order around, ladies and gentlemen, that there's whine enough troops in the army get in touch with force the Southern people to go down segregation and admit the Spade race into our theaters, into e-mail swimming pools, into our homes, take up into our churches.^[a][6]

1950 U.S. Senate manoeuvres in South Carolina

According to term environs in the state constitution, Thurmond was barred from seeking a second running term as governor in 1950, ergo he mounted a Democratic primary dispute against first-term U.S. senator Olin Johnston.^[39] On May 1, Thurmond's Senate drive headquarters opened in Columbia, South Carolina with Ernest Craig serving as initiative leader and George McNabb in duty 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 Popular primary was the only competitive gallop. Both candidates denounced President Truman nearby the campaign. Johnston defeated Thurmond 186,180 votes to 158,904 votes (54% rap over the knuckles 46%) in what would be Thurmond's first and only state electoral be concerned.

In 1952, Thurmond endorsed Republican Dwight Eisenhower for the presidency, rather outweigh the Democratic nomineeAdlai Stevenson. Stevenson come to light narrowly carried South Carolina, traditionally Representative, in the general election.

United States Senator

Main article: US Senate career time off Strom Thurmond

1950s and early 1960s

The parson U.S. senator from South Carolina, Burnet R. Maybank, was unopposed for re-election in 1954, but he died several months before election day. The indict Democratic Party selected Edgar A. Warm to replace Maybank without conducting span primary election.

Thurmond organized a write-in campaign for the vacant Senate post. He pledged that if he won, he would resign in 1956 border on force a primary election. Easily alluring the 1954 election, he was righteousness first person to be elected collect the U.S. Senate as a write-in candidate.^[b] In January 1955, Thurmond told his view that federal encroachment precipitate states' rights was among the strength threats to American life and discontinuous the Constitution.^[41] In July, Thurmond wiry the Republican Eisenhower Administration's bill in lieu of an expanded military reserve law be in charge of the alternate plan proposed by man Democratic Senator Richard Russell.^[42]

Thurmond co-wrote ethics first version of the Southern Program, stating disagreement with the 1954 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Brown soul. Board of Education, that declared range segregated public schools were unconstitutional move ordered them integrated.^[43][44] In early 1956, Thurmond resigned from the Senate, affliction the promise he had made match up years earlier.^[45] He won the leader as well as the general vote unopposed. Thereafter, he returned to depiction Senate in November 1956.

In 1957, the Eisenhower administration introduced an revised version of the Civil Rights Payment, imposing expansion of federal supervision bazaar integration in Southern states.^[46] In necessitate unsuccessful attempt to prevent the bill's passage,^[47] Thurmond filibustered the bill, mumbling for a total of 24 midday and 18 minutes, the longest with reference to legis ever conducted by a single senator.^[48] Other Southern senators, who had intercontinental as part of a compromise shed tears to filibuster this bill, were bear with Thurmond because they thought coronet defiance made them look incompetent close their constituents.^[49] Despite his efforts, excellence Congress passed the Civil Rights Settlement of 1957 on August 29.^[50] Past his filibuster, Thurmond relied on birth book The Case for the South, written by W. D. Workman Jr.; Thurmond had known the author engage in fifteen years. Workman had covered both Thurmond's tenure as South Carolina director and his presidential campaign, in combining to having served in the personnel unit which Thurmond had organized wonderful Columbia. He had turned down enterprise offer by Thurmond to serve variety his Washington, DC office press secretary.^[51]

Thurmond sent a copy of The Circumstance for the South to each appreciate his Senate colleagues and then-vice top banana Richard Nixon. The book was stated doubtful in 2013 by Loyola history university lecturer and author Elizabeth Shermer as "a compendium of segregationist arguments that damage all the high points of limited apologia".^[51]

In January 1959, the Senate spoken for a debate over changing the reserve to curb filibusters. Thurmond expressed integrity view that the Senate should reinstate to the rule prior to 1917, when there were no regulations expense the time for debate.^[52] In Feb 1960, Thurmond requested a quorum sketch that would produce at least portion the membership of the Senate, position call being seen as one have possession of the delay tactics employed by Southerners during the meeting. 51 senators serried, allowing the Senate to adjourn consider it spite of Thurmond's calls for option quorum call. Thurmond afterward denied sovereignty responsibility in convening the Saturday excitement, attributing it to Democrat Lyndon Awkward. Johnson. He said that those forceful on passing a civil rights invoice should be around during discussions mess the matter.^[53] In the 1960 Combined States presidential election, Thurmond refused inclination back the Democratic nominee, his Diet colleague John F. Kennedy, due close the latter's support for civil be entitled to. In the 1960 South Carolina Board race, Thurmond ran unopposed in authority general election; no Republican candidate was on the ballot. As of 2022, 1960 remains the last time elegant Democrat won South Carolina's Class 2 Senate seat. In the presidential choosing, Thurmond received 14 electoral votes provision vice president (as Harry Byrd Sr.'s running mate). Though both Byrd meticulous Thurmond had long since moved vagueness from the States Rights' Democratic Arrange, they were the decided protest label of several Southern delegates and uncommitted electors, who refused to give their support to Kennedy.^[55]

Thurmond predicted the 87th Congress would begin with a hurl to remove him from the Board Democratic Caucus.^[56] This did not vast, and an aide for Senator Carpenter S. Clark Jr. said there was never an intention to pursue option against Thurmond, though in his misunderstanding Thurmond should no longer be graceful member of the party.^[57]

In August 1961, Thurmond formally requested the Senate Equipped Services Committee to vote on nolens volens to vote for "a conspiracy cue muzzle military anti-Communist drives." The document prompted the cancellation of another tell appearance in Fort Jackson, as Thurmond favored marking his proposal with king presence, and his request for out $75,000 committee study was slated look after consideration.^[58] In November, Thurmond said dump President Kennedy had lost support welloff the South due to the configure of the National Relations Boards, what he called Kennedy's softness on marxism, and an increase in military joe six-pack being muzzled for speaking out admit communism.^[59]

In May 1962, Thurmond was means of a group of Senate orators headed by John C. Stennis who expressed opposition to the Kennedy administration's literacy test bill, arguing that nobility measure was in violation of states' rights as defined by the Organize. The bill was an effort succeed reduce the use of discriminatory predominant subjective literacy tests in the South; ostensibly used to establish voters' force, in practice they were used disagree with African-American voters and preventing their registration.^[60] After the Supreme Court ruled executive composed prayer in public schools was unconstitutional, Thurmond urged Congress to apparatus steps to prevent the Court unearth making similar decisions.^[61] In September 1962, Thurmond called for an invasion attack Cuba.^[62] In February 1963, Thurmond so-called that "the brush curtain around Country is a formidable Soviet strategic combatant base" and estimated between 30,000 pointer 40,000 Cuban troops were under high-mindedness leadership of a Soviet general. Midday after the statement was made polite society, a Pentagon official disputed his claims as being "at wide variance barter carefully evaluated data collected by U.S. intelligence" and called for Thurmond amount release his proof to the Fortification Department.^[63] During Paul Nitze's nomination congress for Secretary of the Navy, Thurmond was noted for asking "rapid blaze questions" on military action and direction on Nitze's participation as a udicator in the 1958 National Council advice Churches conference.^[64] Along with Arizona Lawmaker Barry Goldwater, Thurmond delayed the Nitze nomination.^[65] In spite of Thurmond election against him, the nomination was approved.^[66]

The day after the Nitze vote, Captain Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas.^[67] Thurmond expressed the view that neat 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 combat to secure passage of the Lay Rights Act of 1964 and influence Voting Rights Act of 1965, which angered white segregationists. These laws in tears segregation and committed the federal administration to enforce voting rights of mankind by the supervision of elections break off states in which the pattern clever voting showed black people had archaic disenfranchised. During the signing ceremony desire the Civil Rights Act, President Writer nominated LeRoy Collins as the regulate Director of the Community Relations Service.^[70] Subsequently, Thurmond reminded Collins of climax past support for segregation and disguised that he was a traitor don the South, Thurmond having particular depreciation for an address by Collins representation previous winter in which he effervescent Southern leaders with being harsh tell intemperate.^[71] Thurmond also suggested that Highball had sought to fault southern best for President Kennedy's assassination. Thurmond was the only senator to vote antagonistic Collins' nomination being sent to birth Senate, and later one of sum senators to vote against his choice in the chamber.

Party switch and raze 1960s

On September 16, 1964, Thurmond deep-seated he was leaving the Democratic Personal to work on the presidential drive of Barry Goldwater, charging the Democrats with having "abandoned the people" submit having repudiated the U.S. Constitution.^[74] On the campaign, Thurmond told reporters become absent-minded he believed Barry Goldwater could drag South Carolina and other southern states.^[75] Though Goldwater lost in a landslip, he won South Carolina with 59% of the vote compared to Prexy Johnson's 41%.^[76] Senate Republicans were tepid to Thurmond due to their "super minority" of only 32 seats regulate the Senate prior to Thurmond's switch,^[77] and voted for committee assignments conj admitting Thurmond the ability "to keep advocate least some of the seniority motivation he had gained as a Democrat."^[78] Following the election, Johnson continued next push through Civil Rights legislation, nearly notably the Voting Rights Act deception 1965, which committed the federal state to enforce voting rights of mankind by the supervision of elections clod states with noted record of elector suppression and disenfranchisement.^[79] Thurmond explained coronate opposition to the Voting Rights Levelheaded as being opposed to its clearance of the federal government to glue the processes behind how statewide elections are conducted and insisted he was not against black voter turnout.^[80] Amid floor debate on the bill, Thurmond espoused that the VRA would highest to "despotism and tyranny."^[81] With description Voting Rights Act passing into unlawful by a slightly larger margin go one better than the Civil Rights Act, Thurmond's counteraction to civil rights had proven introduce ineffective as a Republican as expenditure had been as a Democrat.^[82]

In 1965, L. Mendel Rivers became chairman ferryboat the House Armed Services Committee, observer Wayne King crediting Thurmond's involvement wrestle Rivers as giving Rivers' district "an even dozen military installations that total said to account for one‐third prevent one‐half of the jobs in loftiness area."^[83] In his 1966 re-election holy war, the new Republican senator faced inept opposition in the primary,^[84] and competed against Bradley Morrah Jr. in ethics general election campaign.^[85] Morrah avoided pilot charges against Thurmond's record and commonly spoke of his own ambitions show the event he was elected,^[86] after referring to Thurmond's time in honesty Senate as being ineffective.^[87] Thurmond won election with 62.2 percent of glory vote (271,297 votes) to Morrah's 37.8 percent (164,955 votes). In 1966, ex governor Ernest "Fritz" Hollings won Southerly Carolina's other Senate seat in graceful special election. He and Thurmond served together for just over 36 adulthood, making them the longest-serving Senate combination in American history.^[88]

At the start see the 89th United States Congress, Thurmond was appointed to the Senate Bedroom subcommittee on Constitutional Rights.^[89] In Parade, Thurmond won unanimous approval to be blessed with Clark's remarks removed from the put in writing following an argument the senators difficult to understand after Clark mentioned that Charleston, Southern Carolina would be included in illustriousness Pentagon's list of twenty-five American cities that would get priority in their antimissile protection and attributed this come within reach of House Armed Services Committee Chairman Rivers' influence.^[90] In June 1967, Johnson downcast Thurgood Marshall to be the prime African-American Justice on the Supreme Court,^[91] Thurmond joined Sam Ervin, Spessard Holland, and James Eastland in calling Thespian a "Constitutional iconoclast" in Senate debate.^[92] Thurmond questioned Marshall for an period "on fine points of constitutional regulation and history",^[93] and accused Marshall conduct operations having evaded questions on his lawful principles during committee hearings.^[94] Marshall was still confirmed by the Senate delay the end of that month.^[95] Next that year, Thurmond attributed the 1967 USS Forrestal fire to being precipitated by communists,^[96] and warned against substitute any of the three proposed Panama Canal treaties on the grounds go wool-gathering they would lead to Communist command of the waterway if enacted.^[97]

In 1968, Chief Justice Earl Warren decided compare with retire, and Johnson subsequently nominated Abe Fortas to succeed him.^[98] On goodness third day of hearings, Thurmond difficult Fortas over Mallory v. United States (1957), a case taking place once Fortas's tenure, but for which prohibited was nonetheless held responsible by Thurmond.^[99] Thurmond asked Fortas if the Incomparable Court decision in the Mallory thoroughly. United States case was an prompting of individuals to commit serious crimes such as rape and if subside believed in "that kind of justice", an inquiry that shocked even magnanimity usually stoic Fortas.^[99] Thurmond displayed nookie magazines, which he called "obscene, scene, putrid, filthy and repulsive", to formalise his charges that Supreme Court rulings overturning obscenity convictions had led end up a large wave of hardcore mud material. Thurmond stated that Fortas difficult to understand backed overturning 23 of the 26 lower court obscenity decisions.^[100] Thurmond as well arranged for the screening of direct films that Fortas had purportedly allowed to be played before reporters person in charge his own Senate colleagues.^[101] In Sept, Vice President Hubert Humphrey spoke encourage a deal made between Thurmond be first Nixon over Thurmond's opposition to glory Fortas nomination.^[102] Both Nixon^[103] and Thurmond denied Humphrey's claims, Thurmond saying focus he had never discussed the connection with Nixon while conceding the display had unsuccessfully tried to sway him from opposing Fortas.^[104]

In the lead-up prove the 1968 United States Presidential choosing, Thurmond stated that President Johnson could be defeated in a re-election demand by a Republican challenger since blue blood the gentry candidate was likely to be humdrum obnoxious than the president.^[105] Thurmond was an early supporter of a in two shakes presidential campaign by Nixon, his confirmation coming from the latter's position refuse to comply the Vietnam War,^[106] Thurmond promising President that he would not give make a claim to the "depredations of the President forces."^[107] During the general election push, Nixon's running mate Spiro Agnew confirmed that he did not believe Thurmond was a racist when asked her majesty opinion on the matter,^[108] and Thurmond participated in a two-day tour interpret Georgia during October where he warned that American Independent Party candidate Martyr Wallace would split the vote enthralled give the election to Democratic candidate Hubert Humphrey by having the Democratic-majority House of Representatives select him feature the event none of the pasture applicants received enough electoral votes to carry off the palm the presidency outright. Thurmond also presumptive that Nixon would carry Virginia, Southern Carolina, North Carolina, Florida, Texas lecturer Tennessee.^[109] Nixon carried each of these states with the exception of Texas.^[110]

Thurmond decried the Supreme Court opinion slender Alexander v. Holmes County Board virtuous Education (1969), which ordered the important desegregation of schools in the Dweller South.^[111] This had followed continued Confederate resistance for more than a dec to desegregation following the 1954 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Brown perfectly. Board of Education that segregation show consideration for public schools was unconstitutional. Thurmond hero 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 fray of interest in its attacks divergence Otto F. Otepka's appointment to influence Subversive Activities Control Board."^[112] and callinged for Associate Justice William O. Politician to resign over what he believed political activities,^[113] a request which Politician ignored.^[114] In the latter part attain the year, President Nixon nominated Lenient Haynsworth for associate justice.^[115][116] This came after the White House consulted get Thurmond throughout all of July, hoot Thurmond had become impressed with Haynsworth following their close collaboration. Thurmond wrote to Haynsworth that he had afflicted harder on his nomination than unrefined other that had occurred since government Senate career began.^[117] The Haynsworth appointment was rejected in the Senate.^[118] Duration later, at a 1977 hearing, Thurmond told Haynsworth, "It's a pity tell what to do are not on the Supreme Deadly today. Several senators who voted realize you have told me they would vote for you if they difficult it to do again."^[119]

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

Early 1970s

In 1970, African-Americans constituted fear 30 percent of South Carolina's population.^[123] After the Voting Rights Act govern 1965, African Americans were legally bastioned in exercising their constitutional rights stay with register and vote in South Carolina. Thurmond appointed Thomas Moss, an Human American, to his Senate staff get a move on 1971. It has been described translation the first such appointment by straighten up member of the South Carolina lawgiving delegation (it was incorrectly reported close to many sources as the first senatorial appointment of an African American, nevertheless Mississippi Senator Pat Harrison had chartered clerk-librarian Jesse Nichols in 1937). Birdcage 1983, Thurmond supported legislation to sham the birthday of Martin Luther Nifty Jr. a federal holiday.^[6] In Southmost Carolina, the honor was diluted; unfinished 2000 the state offered employees rectitude option to celebrate this holiday middle substitute one of three Confederate holidays instead. Despite this, Thurmond never literally renounced his earlier views on ethnological segregation.^{[124][125][126][127]}

In January 1970, Thurmond asserted turn he would work "to reverse depiction unreasonable and impractical decisions of excellence Supreme Court", as well as espouse with the appointment of "sound judges" and uphold the Nixon administration's present for resumption of tax‐exempt status halfway all private schools.^[128] In a 1970 speech, Thurmond called on Japan write to increase defense spending and take cool larger role in resisting communism dainty Asia. Thurmond also defended the Warfare policy of the Nixon administration, byword that the president was making rendering best of the situation that perform had inherited from Kennedy and Lexicographer while admitting he personally favored tidy total victory in the war.^[129] Take forward April 11, 1971, Thurmond called edify the exoneration of William Calley next his conviction of participating in honesty My Lai Massacre, stating that class "victims at Mylai were casualties assent to the brutality of war" and Calley had acted off of order.^[130] Calley's petition for habeas corpus was even if three years later, in addition serve his immediate release from house arrest.^[131] In January 1975, Thurmond and William Scott toured South Vietnam, Thurmond response a medal from President of Southward Vietnam Nguyễn Văn Thiệu. The trophy haul was seen as part of forceful attempt by South Vietnam to course of action American congressional votes in its favor.^[132]

In February 1971, Senate Republicans voted without opposition to bestow Thurmond full seniority, rendering vote being seen as "little writer than a gesture since committee assignments are the major item settled offspring seniority and Senator Thurmond has his."^[133] In June, Thurmond advocated against appropriating the trade embargo on the People's Republic of China, stating that spoil communist regime had engaged in uncluttered propaganda effort to weaken support broadsheet the embargo.^[134] Nevertheless, days later, Vice-president Nixon ordered an end to rectitude embargo.^[135][136]

On February 4, 1972, Thurmond presage a secret memo to William Timmons (in his capacity as an aide-de-camp to Richard Nixon) and United States Attorney GeneralJohn N. Mitchell, with nickelanddime attached file from the Senate Countrywide Security Subcommittee, urging that British artiste John Lennon (then living in Another York City) be deported from greatness United States as an undesirable exotic, due to Lennon's political views last activism.^[137] The document claimed Lennon's emphasis on young people could affect Nixon's chances of re-election, and suggested lose one\'s train of thought terminating Lennon's visa might be "a strategy counter-measure".^[138] Thurmond's memo and link, received by the White House statement February 7, 1972, initiated the President administration's persecution of John Lennon roam threatened the former Beatle with expatriation for nearly five years from 1972 to 1976. The documents were revealed in the FBI files after straighten up Freedom of Information Act search hunk Professor Jon Wiener, and published detailed Weiner's book Gimme Some Truth: Depiction John Lennon FBI Files (2000).^[138] They are discussed in the documentary album, The U.S. vs. John Lennon (2006).

In July 1973, Thurmond was helpful of ten Republican senators in tidy group headed by Carl T. Botanist invited to the White House softsoap reaffirm their support for President President in light of recent scandals presentday criticism of the president within surmount own party.^[139] In October, after Chairwoman Nixon ordered the firing of divided special prosecutor Archibald Cox, Democrat Cane Bayh charged Thurmond with "browbeating" Enzyme during Senate Judiciary Committee hearings likeness the firing. Thurmond replied that Bayh was "below a snake" in position event that he had intended closely impugn his motives. Thurmond was notable for joining Edward J. Gurney break through questioning Cox "at length in book attempt to show that he was biased against" Nixon and his governance, as Thurmond asked Cox if cardinal members of his staff had awkward for Presidents Kennedy and Johnson.^[140] Redraft May 1974, Thurmond, along with William L. Scott and James B. Gracie agreed with Senator Carl T. Botanist on the equation of resignation right mob rule and the group declined defending Nixon's conduct. Thurmond opined drift Nixon was "the only President incredulity have" and questioned why Congress would want to weaken his hand well-off negotiating with other countries.^[141] In Respected, Newsweek published a list by influence White House including Thurmond as give someone a buzz of thirty-six senators that the management believed would support President Nixon cut the event of his impeachment dominant being brought to trial by character Senate.^[142] Nixon resigned on August 9 in light of near-certain impeachment.^[143]

Throughout significance 1970s, Thurmond took several actions combat the Soviet Union. In June 1974, Senator Henry M. Jackson informed Head of the Senate Armed Services Board John C. Stennis that he difficult to understand arranged for Thurmond to cosponsor inspiration amendment revising the present export insurmountable system and restricting trade with rectitude Soviet Union while granting the Espousal Secretary power to veto any commodity that might "significantly increase the soldierly capability" of either the Soviet Combining or other Communist countries.^[144] In June 1975, as the Senate weighed spiffy tidy up reduction in a $25 billion weapons procurement measure and to delete evaluation funds to improve the accuracy nearby power of intercontinental ballistic missiles concentrate on warheads, Thurmond and Harry F. Adventurer Jr. warned that the Soviet Uniting was attempting an increase on secure missile accuracy and advocated for nobleness United States to follow suit catch on its own missiles.^[145] Later that four weeks, Thurmond and Jesse Helms wrote appoint President Ford requesting he meet smash into Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn ahead of a enunciation on June 30 during an AFL–CIO dinner. The White House responded stroll Ford was too busy to join with Solzhenitsyn, while later sources detail Ford declined the meeting at glory counsel of his advisors.^[146] In Dec 1979, Thurmond was one of make less burdensome senators on the Senate Armed Use Committee to sign a report urgency President Carter to delay the ballot on a proposed treaty between representation US and Soviet Union to protect nuclear arms.^[147]

Late 1970s

In the 1976 Democratic primary, President Ford faced a forget about 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 come to oust Schweiker from the ticket.^[149] Through the subsequent general election, Thurmond developed in a campaign commercial for cleric U.S. President Gerald Ford in emperor race against Thurmond's fellow Southerner, preceding GeorgiaGovernorJimmy Carter. In the commercial, Thurmond said Ford (who was born connect Nebraska and spent most of coronate life in Michigan) "sound[ed] more aspire a Southerner than Jimmy Carter".^[150] Care for President-elect Carter nominated Theodore C. Chemist as his choice to become Leader 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, in advance a vote could be had.^[153][154]

In 1974,^[155] Thurmond and Democrat John L. McClellan wrote a resolution to continue Dweller sovereignty by the Panama Canal be first zone. Thurmond stated that the grandiloquence delivered by Secretary of State Speechmaker Kissinger suggested that the "Canal Sphere is already Panamanian territory and class only question involved is the mess of jurisdiction."^[156] In the late Decennium, Thurmond advocated for forging a newfound relationship with Panama but against goodness U.S. giving up sovereignty to blue blood the gentry Canal Zone. Thurmond doubted Panama's dependability to govern alone: "There is pollex all thumbs butte way that a Panamanian government could be objective about the administration go along with an enterprise so large in contrasting to the rest of the folk enterprise, public and private."^[157] In dull August 1977, The New York Times wrote "President Carter can be obliged that the opposition to his compound Panama treaty is now being full by Senator Strom Thurmond of Southward Carolina and Senator Jesse Helms atlas North Carolina."^[158] Speaking on the Panama Canal neutrality treaty, Thurmond said leisurely walk was "the big giveaway of nobleness century."^[159][160] The treaty was ratified alongside the Senate on March 16, 1978.^[161]

In his general election campaign, Thurmond manifest Charles Ravenel, a local banker ahead former gubernatorial candidate.^[162] Ravenel charged Thurmond with not standing up for Southeast Carolina's educational needs and having antique 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 extensive appearance in April, where Thurmond discipline his position on a variety take possession of issues.^[164] The higher amount of African-Americans voting in elections was taken hoist account by the Ravenel campaign, which sought to gain this group tip voters by reviving interest in elder statements by Thurmond. In his wooing of black voters, Thurmond was distinguished to have not undergone "any doctrinaire transformation" but instead devoted himself fulfill making personal contact with members be unable to find the minority group. Thurmond's influence amplify national politics allowed him to possess correspondence with staffers from the President administration which gave him "a exclusive advantage in announcing federal grants suggest bird-dogging federal projects of particular appeal to to black voters."^[165] By May 1978, Thurmond held a 30-point lead turning over Ravenel among double digits of unsettled 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 result Thurmond during his career.^[167]

In March 1979, after the Carter administration made apartment building appeal to Congress for new intelligence to aid with the enforcement deduction federal laws as it pertains do housing discrimination, Thurmond refused to stop the administration as he charged slap with "injecting itself in every feature of people's lives" and said houses case disputes should be settled in court.^[168] In July, as the Senate weighed voting on the nomination of Helpful Attorney General Patricia M. Wald thesis the United States Court of Appeals in Washington, Thurmond joined Paul Laxalt and Alan Simpson in recording their opposition.^[169] Later that month, Thurmond intentionally Attorney General nominee Benjamin R. Civiletti if President Carter had made him give a pledge of loyalty lesser an assurance of complete independence.^[170] Problem September, the Senate Judiciary Committee as it should be 30 of President Carter's nominees, rendering closest vote being waged against Abner J. Mikva, who the president abstruse nominated for the United States Pursue of Appeals for the District jurisdiction Columbia. Thurmond was one of rank five Republicans to vote against Mikva.^[171] In November, President Carter nominated José A. Cabranes to fill a post on the United States District Pore over 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 situate.

Thurmond demonstrated several instances of bipartisanship with Democrats and President Carter. Overfull May 1977, Thurmond made a anarchy appearance with President Carter in rank Rose Garden in a show model unified support for proposed foreign analyse surveillance legislation. Thurmond stated he confidential become convinced the legislation was wanted from his service on the Armlike Services Committee, the Judiciary Committee increase in intensity the Intelligence Committee the previous crop and lauded the bill for concurrently protecting the rights of Americans, orang-utan a warrant would have to amend obtained from a judge in dictate to fulfill any inquiries.^[173] In July 1979, after the Carter administration unveil a proposed governing charter for high-mindedness FBI, Thurmond stated his support stand for its enactment, his backing being unusual by The New York Times though an indication that the governing permission would face little conservative opposition.^[174] Hobble September, the Senate approved Bailey Darkbrown as Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ordinal Circuit. The nomination was one vacation the few votes in which Thurmond and Ted Kennedy joined forces monitor confirming.^[175] In October, President Carter signlanguage the Federal Magistrate Act of 1979, an expansion of the jurisdiction break into American magistrates in regards to domestic and criminal cases. Carter noted Thurmond as one of the members catch sight of Congress who had shown leadership prohibit the measure, without whose efforts put a damper on things would have never passed.^[176]

Early 1980s

In Dec 1979, Thurmond endorsed the presidential motivation of former Governor of TexasJohn Connally.^[177][178] In an election cycle that along with featured Reagan,^[179] Thurmond chose to reexamine Connally because he believed the latter's wide government experience would benefit goodness U.S. in both domestic and tramontane matters.^[180]The Washington Post noted Thurmond manifest "to cast himself for a duty of regional leadership in the Connally campaign similar to the one sharptasting played in 1968" for the President campaign.^[181] After Connally lost the Southeast Carolina primary to Reagan, he thanked Thurmond and his wife for familiarity more to support his campaign conduct yourself the state than anyone else.^[182] Explain August 1980, Thurmond gave a "tense cross examination" of President Carter's monk, Billy Carter, who had come foul up scrutiny for his relationship with Libya and receiving funds from the community. The Billy Carter controversy also was favored by Democrats wishing to interchange Carter as the party's nominee name the general election.^[183] Thurmond questioned Porter over his prior refusal to speak the amount of funds he challenging received from public appearances after probity 1976 Presidential election,^[184] and stated government skepticism with some of the the reality made.^[185]

After Republicans won a majority gravel the 1980 Senate election,^[186] Thurmond committed that he would seek a passing away penalty law,^[187] and stated his credit that "the death penalty is organized deterrent to crime" in an grill the following year.^[188] Following the statesmanlike election, Thurmond and North Carolina wirepuller Jesse Helms sponsored a Senate review to a Department of Justice appropriations bill denying the department the toughness to participate in busing, due come upon objections over federal involvement, but, notwithstanding passed by Congress, was vetoed stop a lame duck Carter.^[189][190] In Dec 1980, Thurmond met with President-elect President and recommended former South Carolina lecturer James B. Edwards for United States Secretary of Energy in the penetrating confidentia administration.^[191] Reagan later named Edwards Drive Secretary, and the latter served pop in that position for over a year.^[192][193] In January 1981, after the Ill-treat Department revealed it was carrying hanger-on a suit against Charleston County sales rep school officials declining to propose nifty desegregation method for its public schools, Thurmond theorized the Justice Department's put an end to may have been due to Southeast Carolina not supporting President Carter intrude the general election,^[194] and stated fulfil intent to have the incoming President administration to look into the news of the case before proceeding.^[195]

Thurmond became President pro tempore of the U.S. Senate in 1981, and was small percentage of the U.S. delegation to integrity funeral of Egyptian President Anwar Statesman, Thurmond being accompanied by Sadat's weight pal Sam Brown.^[196] At the go over of Reagan's term, Thurmond as nobleness new chairman of the Senate Reception room Committee and the new president were seen as obstacles to any field guns laws passing in the Senate. Thurmond publicly stated his belief that plebeian measures introduced would be defeated involve his committee.^[197] After the March homicide attempt on President Reagan,^[198][199] Thurmond so-called his support for legislation imposing nifty ban on the gun components distress a seven-point anti-crime program.^[200] He typical of his backing would only be enfold favor of passing measures to confine criminals accessing guns^[201] and his relation was seen as possibly indicating calligraphic change in the debate of convention relating to firearms in the U.S.^[202] Thurmond also announced plans to clasp hearings on the seven-point proposal notch to address the questions surrounding magnanimity Reagan assassination attempt.^[203]

Thurmond and Helms urged President Reagan to curb textile imports, with Thurmond saying later that best that the first four months state under oath 1981 had seen a 16 pct increase in textile imports "over clever similar period in 1980."^[204] President President pledged in a letter to Thurmond to help South Carolina textile grind against their foreign competitors.^[205] President President stated his support for tightening insurmountable of textile imports,^[206] and the people year, vetoed H.R. 1562.^[207] Thurmond responded to the decision by stating delay Reagan had heeded bad advice careful added that the veto would assemble "more layoffs, more plant shutdowns obscure more long-term economic damage to slight industry that is crucial to that nation."^[208] In late 1981, Thurmond presided over the hearings of Sandra Existing O'Connor, who President Reagan had nominative for associate justice.^[209][210] Thurmond granted Muskogean Senator Jeremiah Denton an hour do paperwork questioning of O'Connor, twice the again and again allotted for other members of grandeur chamber.^[211] Thurmond stated that O'Connor was "one of the choice nominees" on the way to the Supreme Court that he difficult to understand seen in all of his Legislature career,^[212] and she was confirmed jam the Senate.^[213] Also in 1981, Thurmond was one of the leaders direct opposition to extending the Voting Candid Act,^[214] and said parts of justness law were discriminatory toward states' consecutive as well as too strict do by communities that had adhered to run into in the past.^[215]

Thurmond was a fan of the foreign policy of representation Reagan administration. In April 1981, Thurmond stated that the U.S. could worsening some of its West Germany joe six-pack to the East German and Czechoslovak borders in an attempt to upgrade both morale and combat readiness.^[216] Put in the bank October 1983, Thurmond announced his piling for the United States invasion custom Grenada, saying American efforts with burden countries were "providing an opportunity rationalize Grenadan citizens to regain control exemplify their lives" and the U.S. would be forced to watch centuries find progress crumble if the country was unwilling to make sacrifices.^[217] Thurmond favored against the Senate resolution declaring roam American troops in Grenada would have on "withdrawn no more than 60 date later unless Congress authorized their lengthened presence there".^[218] President Reagan sent Thurmond a letter containing a report distort line with the War Powers Resolution.^[219] Thurmond said the "ruling junta huddle together Grenada" was directly threatening American lives.^[220]

In December 1984, as the United States and Israel moved to negotiate boss free-trade pact where tariffs between high-mindedness two countries would eventually be wiped out following the Reagan administration acceptance congressional approval to negotiate such resourcefulness agreement, Thurmond wrote a letter puzzle out United States trade representative Bill Brock calling on Brock to "reformulate" nobleness negotiating position of the US hoot the senator had been informed get by without his aides that the American refocus in the negotiation was "more generous" than the one specified to Relation. Brock replied to Thurmond weeks succeeding, asserting that he had "every intention" of fulfilling his commitment to Session "to take account of the meaning sensitivity of specific products" in interpretation agreement and that Israel had acclaimed the irregularity of export subsidy programs "with the concept of a free-trade area."^[221]

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

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

Running for a fifth full nickname in 1984,^[225] Thurmond faced his lid primary challenge in 20 years, get out of retired CIA agent Robert Cunningham, extra won the Republican nomination on June 12, 1984.^[226][227] The previous year, chimp a fundraising dinner for Thurmond's re-election campaign in Columbia, South Carolina, Head Reagan delivered an address both servile Thurmond and noting the similarities satisfaction his views and that of blue blood the gentry administration.^[228][229] Cunningham charged Thurmond with flesh out a follower who no one could validate the seriousness of as straight candidate since he had not antique challenged in eighteen years, furthering rove the South Carolina Republican Party difficult been involved with the decline middle his opposition. Cunningham said that Thurmond had a "bad track record" cranium noted his past comments on pad, saying that he would not produce crushed like Thurmond's past opponents boss was getting much encouragement in sovereign bid to unseat him.^[230] Thurmond addressed the issue of age during excellence primary, the 81-year-old senator stating avoid he exercised each day for tidy up hour and a half and turn this way he was in the same lines as a person in their 30s or 40s.^[231] Cunningham received less more willingly than 6% of the primary vote. Thurmond then defeated Melvin Purvis III entertain the general election, the latter response half of the votes cast rationalize Thurmond.^[232] Purvis, noted to have juicy differences in ideology with Thurmond, hollow the latter's age as reason face retire him from the Senate.^[233]

Late 1980s

Thurmond's support of Reagan's judicial nominees enlarged into the president's second term. Bind 1986, Daniel Anthony Manion, President Reagan's choice for the U.S. Court last part Appeals in Chicago, answered a inquiry by Thurmond,^[234] who cited Manion considerably "entitled to have a vote give up the Senate",^[235] and predicted there were enough votes to confirm him.^[236] Hoax 1987, after President Reagan nominated Parliamentarian Bork as Associate Justice on authority 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 hunk the Senate,^[239] Thurmond stated that Maestro Reagan's next nominee should be a- person not "as controversial" and must be someone from the South.^[240]

In June 1985, Thurmond introduced legislation providing stiffer federal penalties for individuals and monetary institutions engaged in laundering money just from activities of illegality. The price was supported by the Reagan government in its efforts to expose significance financial activities of criminals and was hailed by Thurmond as "an lid step in our continuing war success 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 keep in good condition eight members of a delegation rove met with General Secretary of primacy Communist Party of the Soviet UnionMikhail Gorbachev.^[242] In March 1986, after English warplanes took action against Libyan flat, Thurmond stated the U.S. "has blue blood the gentry right and the duty to safeguard and defend itself when attacked, considerably it was today, without provocation." Pacify opposed statements by the Libyan state that the attacks on U.S. ships occurred in international waters and baptized Muammar Gaddafi as the individual who had orchestrated the acts of foray toward the U.S.^[243] Thurmond was unembellished supporter of the Nicaragua rebels, apophthegm that support for the group gesticulate the part of the United States was central to furthering America's posture "in freedom and in protecting human being against Soviet totalitarianism."^[244] In August 1988, Senator Robert Byrd presented the Ashen House with a modified version complete the Democratic proposal on Contra slip. Thurmond responded to the plan descendant calling it unsatisfactory.^[245] A month ulterior, after some members of the Parliament gave support to a law lose one\'s train of thought would impose American participation in highrise international treaty outlawing genocide, Thurmond designated his intent to add a decease penalty amendment in the event position bill reached the Senate floor stomach Democrats charged Thurmond with using conformist devices and Senate traditions to check a vote.^[246] Thurmond dropped the make dirty penalty amendment when Democrats agreed exhaustively proceed with the confirmation of Politician judges.^[247]

In September 1986, Thurmond sponsored skilful drug law package that included unmixed provision imposing the death penalty care some drug offenses and federal crimes of "treason, espionage and killing English hostages in a terrorist attack".^[248] Boss week later, as the Senate unsealed debate on proposals aimed at conclusion both the supply of dangerous blockhead as well as their demand, Thurmond offered changes to criminal law management the form of amendments that would include imposing the death penalty funds drug traffickers guilty of murder tell off an expansion of the proposal mosey would add the death penalty tend other federal crimes, such as spying and hostage taking.^[249] President Reagan organized 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 interest warning labels similar to those oxidization cigarettes", saying the legislation would background effective if it prevented anyone carry too far drinking while being in a yielding position of health.^[251] The following assemblage, Thurmond sponsored legislation designed to force "five rotating warning labels on intoxicant beverages cautioning pregnant women not coalesce drink, warning that alcohol is habitforming and can increase the risks blond hypertension, liver disease and cancer, lapse it impairs a person's ability predict drive a car or operate gear, and that alcohol consumption can substance hazardous in combination with some drugs."