A fair point, skymutt, but one could make the argument that at least one of them left the party because of the racist policies of the Dems.

I'd like to see you try to actually make the argument based on the evidence.  Strom Thurmond or Jesse Helms-- take your pick!

Besides, I don't recall either of them ever using a vile racist slur like "white n****r" on national television, unlike Senator Robert C. Byrd (D-WV), former Kleagle (recruiter) for the Ku Klux Klan who filibustered the Civil Rights Act of 1964 for over 14 straight hours.  To my knowledge, the the senior Senator from West Virginia has never been censured nor asked to step down for his remarks, as he most assuredly would have been had an "R" followed his name.

 

Yes and Senator Byrd has apologized candidly for every single one of these actions.  Every single one.  In fact he has spoken numerous times at length about his membership in the KKK and does not run from his racist past at all. 

Try to find similar introspection for Mr. Helms or Mr Thurmund while you're making your case that they left the Democratic Party because it was too racist.