Thereafter Watson's defeat seemed to convince most southern candidates in both parties that they could no longer realistically challenge or undermine the nation's accelerating commitment to the removal of racial barriers in society.<ref>"The Changing Politics of Race," p. 241.</ref> | Thereafter Watson's defeat seemed to convince most southern candidates in both parties that they could no longer realistically challenge or undermine the nation's accelerating commitment to the removal of racial barriers in society.<ref>"The Changing Politics of Race," p. 241.</ref> |