Rand Paul, The Republican Party, And The Civil Rights Act Of 1964

Writing in The Root, Sherrilyn Ifill argues that "what has been most illuminating about the fallout from the [Rand] Paul controversy is the reluctance of some mainstream Republicans to forcefully and clearly support the Civil Rights Act." Her conclusion: "Some Republicans have made the political calculation that openly and heartily embracing the provisions of the Civil Rights Act will alienate key segments of their voting constituency."