Fair. Goldwater had an early version called 'Operation Dixie' (and he engaged the KKK). Nixon played a more subtle strategy with the silent majority, law&order, and benign neglect which provided sufficient dog whistles for the south. Regan expanded the call with 'southern white womenhood' which brought in the white women.
The Nixon team's Southern Strategy and their War on Drugs predated Reagan's run for the WH.
Fair. Goldwater had an early version called 'Operation Dixie' (and he engaged the KKK). Nixon played a more subtle strategy with the silent majority, law&order, and benign neglect which provided sufficient dog whistles for the south. Regan expanded the call with 'southern white womenhood' which brought in the white women.