What killed the democrats in the white south?

[smoltchanov]

IMHO - combination of some reasons, almost all of which were already mentioned here:

1. Civil Rights (since 1948). For many Southern Democrats of the past it was a "betrayal of principles". South was a segregationist country for more then 50 years, dilligently voting for Democrats on all levels,  and here "it's own" party destroys a "pillar" of Southern society.

2. Gradual transformation of Democratic party from populist (but with tolerance for social conservatism) to less populist and much more socially (and foreign policy) liberal one. With Blacks being not even "major", but "main" faction of the party, especially - in the South. Many whites simply doesn't fathom himself being a members of "Black party"

3. Dying out of older people and older loyalities  and other demographic changes (mass migration of people from the North, who, frequently, had no loyalities to Democratic party)

4. It's simply advantageous now to be a member of Republican caucus in most of the Southern states now. You get all the pluses of being in majority (committee chairmanships, and so on). People like Louisiana's John Alario can't be really called an "ultraconservatives" (unlike, may be, people like James Fannin), but they really want these priviliges. There are almost no pluses to run as a conservative Democrat and then be in dire minority now (that's why expect John Milkovich to switch at some moment)

5. Nationalization and extreme polarization of politics. Even 20 years ago you could serve in Mississippi's legislature as very conservative Democrat (to the right of half Republicans at least), and it was "normal". No more...

Plus - some other factors...