Which LBJ era democrats switched to be republicans? Is robert byrd now a republican? Past KKK leader robert byrd. Oh no, he's not a republican, he was the "mentor and dear and beloved friend" of both bill and hillary clinton. There was no magic switch, party platforms evolved and changed but democrats are still the ones keeping blacks down. You're pathetic, it's like you lose a rugby game so you tell everyone you switched jerseys at halftime. Democratic party has always been the party of slavery and racism from overt racism and literal plantations to the modern day plantations in the inner cities and the bigotry of low expectations. If someone hates you, if someone is racist to you. You can see it, fight it and strive to overcome it. If someone says there your friend, promises you free stuff and creates a mythical boogieman to focus on you'll have a very hard time seeing it and you can't fight what you can't see.