SOUTHERN POLITICS, FINAL EXAM, FALL 2022 SEMESTER

Answer any TWO of the following four questions, and answer them with specific examples. This is a closed book take-home exam, so do all of your studying before starting this test. It is designed for one hour, but you can take a maximum of three hours. Make sure that you e-mail me your completed exam by the ending time of our scheduled final exam, which is Wednesday, December 7 at 3 PM. I will be in class at noon on December 7, for anyone who prefers to take the test in the classroom setting.

1) Edwin Edwards was a four-term Democratic governor of Louisiana. What was his background and personality characteristics that made him so popular, and explain with examples? What public programs did he implement as governor, and be specific? In his third gubernatorial election bid, how was he able to knock off an incumbent Republican governor, and explain? How was Edwards able to defeat David Duke in his last statewide election, and give examples? If you ran for governor in your home state, which aspects of Edwards would you seek to emulate (follow the example of), and explain why and how you would do so?

2) George Bush was a two-term Republican governor of Texas. How was Bush able to knock off an incumbent Democrat, and explain with details why she was vulnerable, and the campaign tactics and personal characteristics that Bush used to defeat her? What policies did Bush implement as governor, and be specific? How did Governor Bush successfully interact with state legislators, and give specific examples? What campaign tactics helped Bush win a landslide re-election, and be specific? If you ran for governor in your home state, which aspects of Bush would you seek to emulate, and explain why and how you would do so?

3) Two of the Democratic “titans” of Arkansas were David Pryor and Bill Clinton, both governors with one going on to become a three-term U.S. Senator. What personal characteristics did Pryor exhibit that appealed to people, and give specific examples? What specific public policies did Pryor pursue as governor and as senator? What personal characteristics and issues cost Clinton one election, and what characteristics (and campaign style) led to his multiple victories as governor, and give examples? What specific education policies did Clinton implement as governor? If you ran for governor or U.S. senator in your home state, what specific aspects of these two men would you emulate, and explain why and how you would do so?

4) In North Carolina, Jesse Helms and James Hunt were a five-term Republican U.S. Senator and a four-term Democratic governor, respectively. How specifically did Helms show his ideological conservatism, including his attacks on political opponents? How specifically did Helms stress constituency service in gaining re-election? How was Hunt able to appeal to all ideological groupings, including liberals, conservatives, and moderates, and give specific examples? If you ran for governor or U.S. senator in your home state, what specific aspects of these two men would you emulate, and explain why and how you would do so?