Throughline: The Swing State Power Brokers
NPR, Released October 24, 2024

Introduction

Throughline, NPR's time-traveling podcast hosted by Rund Abdelfatah and Ramtin Arablouei, delves into the intricate histories that shape our present. In the episode titled "The Swing State Power Brokers," the hosts explore the pivotal roles played by political figures and activist communities in shaping American elections, particularly focusing on Arizona and Michigan. This episode intertwines the story of Supreme Court Justice William Rehnquist's early political maneuvers with the grassroots activism of Arab Americans in Michigan, revealing how these narratives have influenced contemporary electoral dynamics.

I. William Rehnquist and Voter Challenges in Phoenix

Historical Context and Rehnquist's Early Activities

[00:15] William Rehnquist recounts his past involvement in voter eligibility challenges during the 1960s in Phoenix, Arizona. He states:

“Do you think that I really would be here in front of the Judiciary Committee of the United States to testify on the qualifications of the Chief Justice After 27 years of trying lawsuits if I wasn't absent? Absolutely sure that I interviewed Bill Rehnquist because voters pointed him out.”

The narrative unfolds around Rehnquist's participation in what he refers to as an "election day program," wherein he and other Republicans scrutinized voters’ eligibility, often targeting minority communities. Witnesses during his 1986 confirmation hearings alleged that Rehnquist actively challenged voters at polling places, a claim he categorically denied:

[02:14] William Rehnquist: “Yes, I do deny that.”

However, he admitted providing legal advice to Republicans engaged in these voter eligibility challenges.

Impact and Legacy

[02:40] A Historical Expert elaborates:

“Rehnquist was sworn in as Chief justice and the nation moved on. But that so-called election day program had taken on a life of its own, becoming a national strategy whose legacy still reverberates today in the bigger fight over controlling the vote.”

This early involvement set a precedent for future voter suppression tactics employed in key battleground states, highlighting Rehnquist's enduring influence on electoral processes.

II. Operation Eagle Eye and the 1964 Presidential Election

Rehnquist’s Influence on Republican Strategies

[23:54] John A. Jenkins explains Rehnquist's pivotal role in convincing Barry Goldwater to oppose the Civil Rights Act of 1964:

“Rehnquist convinces Goldwater that he should oppose the Civil Rights act that is going to become law and he should vote against it in the United States Senate.”

Operation Eagle Eye

[24:25] The episode introduces Operation Eagle Eye, a Republican strategy to challenge and potentially suppress votes in key states:

“Operation Eagle Eye was the response. It was the same blueprint Rehnquist and his Republican colleagues were accused of using in Phoenix, dating back to at least 1958. Send mailers to Democratic precincts if the mail got kicked back, challenge those potential voters at the polls.”

[25:36] Reports from the time indicated significant Republican efforts to influence voter turnout through coordinated challenges, aiming to undermine the Democratic advantage bolstered by the Great Society programs and newly enacted voting rights legislation.

Election Outcome and Rehnquist’s Position

Despite these efforts, Barry Goldwater was defeated by Lyndon B. Johnson, securing a decisive victory for the Democrats. Rehnquist's steadfast adherence to his conservative principles, even in the face of political setbacks, underscored his long-term commitment to his ideological beliefs.

III. The Long Shadow of Voter Suppression Tactics

Modern-Day Implications

[30:44] The legacy of these early voter suppression strategies persists, as contemporary battleground states like Arizona and Georgia continue to grapple with similar issues:

“Voter challenges in a tight presidential race, which polls show is virtually tied. It truly feels like any little bit of power that can be leveraged, big or small, will help one side or the other.”

[31:05] The episode highlights ongoing efforts to challenge voter eligibility on a massive scale, with software like Eagle Eye facilitating thousands of voter challenges across states, echoing the tactics first employed in the 1960s.

Rehnquist’s Supreme Court Tenure

Throughout his 33-year tenure on the U.S. Supreme Court, including his time as Chief Justice, Rehnquist remained a staunch conservative, influencing numerous rulings that shaped federal law and election integrity debates. Notably, in 2000, he was part of the majority that ended the Florida recount, a decision pivotal in determining the presidential election outcome.

IV. Arab American Activism in Michigan: Building Political Power

Community Foundations in Dearborn

Shifting focus to Michigan, the episode narrates the rise of Arab American political activism, particularly in Dearborn. Ismail Ahmed, a co-founder of the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services, recounts:

“Michigan's Arab American population tops 300,000, the largest in the U.S. and in Dearborn.”

The 1973 Labor Strike and Political Mobilization

[36:03] The story delves into the 1973 labor strike led by Arab Americans in Dearborn, sparked by discriminatory labor practices and the UAW’s investments perceived as supporting contentious international policies:

“We took out an ad in the Detroit Free Press. Purchase of Israeli bonds is regarded by these workers similarly as would a UAW investment in racist South Africa would be regarded by black workers.”

This strike exemplified the intersection of labor rights and ethnic activism, fostering solidarity between Arab and African American communities while challenging institutional injustices.

Political Empowerment and Legacy

[51:56] Ismail Ahmed reflects on the enduring political influence of Arab Americans in Michigan:

“There's not a ticket in Michigan that doesn't have an Arab American on it ever. It's just part of the formula.”

Their sustained activism has transformed Dearborn into the first Arab-majority city in the U.S., significantly impacting state and national elections by mobilizing a critical voter bloc.

V. Contemporary Relevance and Conclusions

Ongoing Challenges and the Fight for Voting Rights

The episode underscores the persistent challenges to voting rights, tracing their roots back to historical strategies employed by figures like Rehnquist. It draws parallels between past and present, highlighting how tactics like Operation Eagle Eye have evolved but continue to aim at controlling voter participation in swing states.

Empowerment Through Activism

Conversely, it celebrates the empowerment achieved through sustained community activism, as demonstrated by Arab Americans in Michigan. Their ability to organize, protest, and influence policy serves as a counterbalance to suppression efforts, embodying the democratic ideals Throughline aims to preserve and highlight.

Final Reflections

As elections loom, the episode emphasizes the critical nature of every vote, especially in battleground states where historical tactics of suppression and community-driven activism intersect. It serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle to ensure fair and free elections, echoing the lessons from both Arizona's and Michigan's political landscapes.

Conclusion

Throughline's "The Swing State Power Brokers" masterfully interweaves historical narratives with contemporary issues, offering listeners a comprehensive understanding of the forces shaping American elections. By examining the actions of influential figures like William Rehnquist and the resilient activism of Arab Americans in Michigan, the episode illuminates the complex interplay between power, politics, and community advocacy in the pursuit of a more perfect union.