question about Tennessee

[freepcrusher]

did it historically have a reputation of being one of the more moderate (or least reactionary) states? If I recall, it was one of the few southern states that were two party and in the 70s and 80s went back and forth between electing D and R senators while the rest of the south was very liberal. The legislature also nearly went R in 1972 (the Rs had a 51-49 majority). The parties if I recall were more midwestern in ideology. The republicans were fairly conservative but surprisingly moderate by southern standards (like Howard Baker) and the democrats were also conservative but with a populistic/slightly liberal streak (think Kefauver, Sasser, Gore).

Now the state really is indistinguishable from the rest of the south

[freepcrusher]

If Tennessee was really that liberal, why did it get a right-to-scab law so early?

this is in comparison to the rest of the south.