Platform of the American Independent Party, George C. Wallace / Curtis E. LeMay

[Birmingham]: [American Independent Party], [1968]. The first national platform of the American Independent Party, issued for George Wallace’s consequential third-party presidential campaign of 1968. Formed the previous year principally as a vehicle for Wallace, the AIP translated his segregationist states’ rights politics into a broader right-wing populist program opposing federal authority, liberal social policy, judicial intervention, taxation, crime, and political unrest.

The platform advocates local control of government and education, strict construction of the Constitution, restrictions upon the federal judiciary, private property, free enterprise, reduced spending, and strengthened police powers. Its attacks on federally directed education and judicial authority placed opposition to desegregation within the ostensibly race-neutral language of local sovereignty and “law and order.” Other planks support increased Social Security and health benefits, vocational training, farm-price protections, collective bargaining, infrastructure development, conservation, a strong military, reduced foreign aid, opposition to Castro, and victory rather than negotiated stalemate in Vietnam.

Wallace and LeMay received nearly ten million popular votes and carried five Southern states, producing the strongest third-party presidential showing of the postwar era. An important primary document of white backlash, right-wing populism, and the emergence of political themes that would become increasingly influential in national conservative politics.

Stapled wrappers printed in blue, 28 pp. Light vertical creases, else a very good copy. Item #15239

Price: $35.00