White racists - by far the most reliable and in fact the key to their coalition.
All the white racists that I have known, other than my brother-in-law, have been Democrats from Arkansas or Missouri.
It's interesting you bring that up. How old are these people you mention? Many older Democrats have always been pretty conservative, but remained as Democrats because their fathers and/or grandfathers raised them in the party even though many of them have been voting Republican for at least a generation. I'm guessing the people you mention are over the age of 50?
Sorry to bump this thread, but this point is maddening to me. Who cares how old they are or if they wouldn't vote for Obama ... They're registered Democrats, and proudly so. The Democratic tent isn't short on racists; I can't believe we've all forgotten the '08 primaries that much.
As for the OP, Yankees.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but more and more of these vestigial Dixiecrats become Republicans every day. Within a decade, barring some type of realignment, nearly all of them will be on your side. My condolences.
Besides, it's hard to say that they're "proud Democrats" when they don't even vote Democratic for local races anymore. Look at Oklahoma, straight ticket Republican for everything. Just because they're too lazy to change their party registration doesn't mean anything.
Poll
