Changes

Watson ran [[television]] advertisements featuring scenes from riots which occurred five years earlier in Watts, [[Los Angeles]]. The spots became so controversial that the Republican mayor of Greenville, Reginald Cooper White, Jr. (1927-2017), cited them in his refusal to endorse Watson.<ref>''The Changing Politics of Race,'' p. 233.</ref> White's criticism alarmed Republicans who feared that Watson had painted himself into a minority ultra-conservative position. ''The Florence Morning News'' accused him of waging a "negative campaign" focusing on "those who stand for racial segregation above all else." The newspaper labeled the racial issue "phony" because Watson as governor would be "unable to turn back the clock ... and is powerless to defy the federal courts."<ref>''Florence Morning News,'' October 19, 1970.</ref>

Watson ran [[television]] advertisements featuring scenes from riots which occurred five years earlier in Watts, [[Los Angeles]]. The spots became so controversial that the Republican mayor of Greenville, Reginald Cooper White, Jr. (1927-2017), cited them in his refusal to endorse Watson.<ref>''The Changing Politics of Race,'' p. 233.</ref> White's criticism alarmed Republicans who feared that Watson had painted himself into a minority ultra-conservative position. ''The Florence Morning News'' accused him of waging a "negative campaign" focusing on "those who stand for racial segregation above all else." The newspaper labeled the racial issue "phony" because Watson as governor would be "unable to turn back the clock ... and is powerless to defy the federal courts."<ref>''Florence Morning News,'' October 19, 1970.</ref>

   

   

Stressing "quality education" amid desegregation, Watson promised "some hope to our beleagurered students, teachers, and parents." He praised President Nixon for having opposed "busing for racial balance" and for having supported "neighborhood schools." He accused the Democrats of "surrender on the issue" of compulsory busing.. West claimed that politics should be removed from the desegregation question and pledged never to "inflame or polarize class against class, rich against poor, or color against color," adding that the days of "magnolias, segregation, and discrimination" were history.<ref>"The Changing Politics of Race," p. 234</ref>

Stressing "quality education" amid desegregation, Watson promised "some hope to our beleagurered students, teachers, and parents." He praised President Nixon for having opposed "busing for racial balance" and for having supported "neighborhood schools." He accused the Democrats of "surrender on the issue" of compulsory busing. West claimed that politics should be removed from the desegregation question and pledged never to "inflame or polarize class against class, rich against poor, or color against color," adding that the days of "magnolias, segregation, and discrimination" were history.<ref>"The Changing Politics of Race," p. 234</ref>

In the fall of 1970, the campaign focused on racial unrest at institutions such as A.C. Flora High School in Forest Acres in Richland County. Watson questioned why a pupil was merely suspended for five days after striking a teacher; to Watson, the action was "not punishment but a reward. ... Education without discipline is worse than no education at all."<ref>''Columbia State,'' October 6, 1970; ''Aiken Standard,'' October 9, 1970; ''Spartanburg Herald-Journal,'' October 26, 1970.</ref>''The Columbia Record'' dismissed discipline as a problem and stressed an "egalitarian philosophy ... that lifts the dignity of all individuals, rather than aristocratically elevating the few."<ref>''Columbia Record,'' November 6, 1970.</ref>The ''Spartanburg Journal'' urged Watson to omit desegregation from campaign discussions and instead to accent matters over which a governor would have more direct control."<ref>''Spartanburg Journal,'' October 26, 1970.</ref>

In the fall of 1970, the campaign focused on racial unrest at institutions such as A.C. Flora High School in Forest Acres in Richland County. Watson questioned why a pupil was merely suspended for five days after striking a teacher; to Watson, the action was "not punishment but a reward. ... Education without discipline is worse than no education at all."<ref>''Columbia State,'' October 6, 1970; ''Aiken Standard,'' October 9, 1970; ''Spartanburg Herald-Journal,'' October 26, 1970.</ref>''The Columbia Record'' dismissed discipline as a problem and stressed an "egalitarian philosophy ... that lifts the dignity of all individuals, rather than aristocratically elevating the few."<ref>''Columbia Record,'' November 6, 1970.</ref>The ''Spartanburg Journal'' urged Watson to omit desegregation from campaign discussions and instead to accent matters over which a governor would have more direct control."<ref>''Spartanburg Journal,'' October 26, 1970.</ref>