In my opinion, the main argument in favor of affirmative action is sustainability.
The answer is The increased opposition to war.
Nixon was not popular with his foreign policy of war to fight communists. During his term, people held numerous strikes that showed that the people were against its implementation. They don't want numerous soldiers to get involved and suffer. They also don't want people from foreign lands to lose their lives because of this.
The biggest appeal of Christian Revivalism was the Protestant idea that people could have a personal relationship with God without having to pay indulgences to the Church, which appealed to many people who wanted a "pure" relationship with their God.
All people could see the laws.
Hope it’s helpful