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With the death of Barry Goldwater the conservative movement has lost one of its giants. Please offer your assessments, reflections, memories, what have you, of the late Barry Goldwater.
.Updated June 5, 1998 6:55PM(EDT)
6/5/98
6/5/98
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6/5/98
6/4/98
6/4/98
I don't think we will ever know how many young people such as I was then
were inspired by this charismatic, articulate champion of the right. In
simple, plain-spoken language Barry Goldwater called us to the barricades of
freedom...and, in Karl Hess's words, "In a cause that will triumph." In
November, 1980, watching the returns from the presidential election, I am
sure I was not the only one who, rejoicing in Reagan's election, cried out,
"Barry, you are avenged!"
With Barry Goldwater's passing, we have lost one of the titans of freedom
in this century.
6/4/98
6/4/98
I was fortunate enough to be able to meet this man in 1989 at the graduation of my son from New Mexico Military Institute. As I shook his hand, I tried to thank him for all of us for trying so hard to turn our country around. The simple smile and "thank you" I received are burned in my memory forever. I met a great man that day, after having admired him for so long. I wish you "fair winds and following seas" General Goldwater!
6/4/98
Well, I entered the service in 1970 when I won the lottery of 1969,
courtesy of Lyndon Baines Johnson and his administration. It was in
those years that I realized that President Goldwater would not have
placed in harm's way with so little prospect of victory. I have only
voted for a Democrat as President once since then, I voted for Jimmy
Carter (the first time), mostly because he was a veteran. The election
of Ronald Reagan finally crystalized it all for me, it was not the
party, it was the conservative principles of the candidate that
mattered.
Senator Goldwater made conservative views respectable again. I
certainly don't subscribe to his full Libertarian agenda but I do
recognize his leadership in shaping our country's agenda. Where is his
replacement?
6/4/98
To my mind, Barry was an empty suit. A child of privilege, he had life
handed him on a platter, including the Republican nomination for
president. He may have been the standard-bearer, but he was no leader.
He was the personal choice of National Review, I believe, and his most
famous lines - "moderation in the pursuit. . . etc." - were penned by
Brent Bozell and Co. No one in the bar was impressed.
6/4/98
6/4/98
6/3/98
Longstreet was a great man, and the fact that he was willing to adapt to
changing circumstances is part of his greatness.
In contrast, Goldwater changed very little: he was always a libertarian,
and he remained one. In decency, we should not be judging what the man
may have said in his dotage.
6/3/98
* "Radicalism, n. The conservatism of tomorrow injected into the affairs of
today."
-Ambrose Bierce
6/3/98
All of the above notwithstanding, he should be allowed to Rest In
Peace. For all of his (to me) shallowness, he provided a generation of
conservatives with a suitable figurehead and set in motion a return to
sanity that has taken nearly two generations to come to fruition.
6/3/98
Although I will never understand his support of Bill Clinton or Karen (the
comrade) English, I think the Conservative movement shall miss him.
6/3/98
It seems to me that Goldwater's statements in his later years are not the product of his decline or the influence of his second wife. But rather, they are the honest views of an already blunt politician who now has no reason whatsoever to hold back. In this regard he is like Bob Dole and Jerry Ford, who, in showing their true colors out of office, serve to remind us why we were right to withhold the admiration which only Ronald Reagan merits.
Goldwater's conservatism strikes me as a conservatism without a moral dimension, and thus, is totally unsuitable as a model for the political philosophy needed in the coming years.
6/3/98
6/3/98
6/3/98
He was one of the last of the political men from America's state-of-grace era, when we did not expect government to save our souls. He saw himself as a representative of the people - no more and no less. Although I read The Conscience of a Conservative as a teenager, I am not sure, as I sit here, what Goldwater's faith life may have been like. What I am sure of is that he knew the saving of our souls is the province of a higher power - and that government exists to perform sanitation, defense, and clerical work.
This subtlety defines the difference between his legacy and Reagan's. I had more respect for Reagan than for any other president in my lifetime, and I do not believe it was his choice to become the icon on whom many people pinned their dreams of hope and meaning. He sincerely wanted smaller government, and he wanted Americans to put government in perspective.
But we didn't. Goldwater's growing reputation in the last two decades as a curmudgeon, out of step with modern society, was pretty much deserved: because our society now demands a Reagan as national leader, someone who can guide and inspire us and make us feel good. The days when tough-minded, independent men and women could stand to hear what Goldwater had to say, and take responsibility for accepting his kind of unsentimental adult leadership, appear to be in the past for America. It is unfortunate but true that we no longer expect enough of ourselves to be capable of benefitting from the political courage of a man like Barry Goldwater.
6/2/98
6/2/98
6/2/98
6/2/98
Goldwater was the right man at the right time in the right place.
That is he got to jump off the landing craft and wade ashore through a hail of bullets.
It took a lot of grunts to get Eisenhower to berlin. Some of them had to wade ashore.
6/2/98
6/2/98
The passage of time gives one opportunity to reflect on what happened and what
might have occurred had another course of action taken place. Having read
several of his writings, it appears that Goldwater had thoughts of challenging
President Kennedy in 1964. When the still unspeakable occurred in Dallas, he
decided not to run, as he felt that a race against LBJ would not be issue
oriented, but rather, dirty pool. He was right. Moreover, I share his belief
that America was not prepared for three Presidents in a 15 month span, which
would have occurred if Goldwater had won. However, several then prominent
members of the GOP persuaded him to go ahead. The rest is history.
The GOP, knowing that LBJ was unbeatable, should have found "good soldiers" to
carry the President and Vice President torch that year, with the promise that
they would be looked after for the remainder of their lives. Let LBJ mess up
the country, then have Goldwater available for 1968. The 1966 inroads, I
feel, would have occurred anyway, as sitting Presidents lose some legislative
support in the mid-terms. Given history from 1964-1968, it's my belief that
Goldwater would have easily earned two terms, the Conservative movement would
have had a strong voice in the Oval Office, the Vietnam war would have been
run correctly and have been won (or we would have exited much sooner), and we
would have been spared the Nixon Presidency. (No disrespect intended, but Mr.
Nixon was better suited for Secretary of State, not President.)
"Extremism in defense of liberty is no vice...moderation in the pursuit of
justice is no virtue." I remember the words from the 1964 acceptance speech.
6/2/98
6/2/98
Richard from Dover is correct. It would have been better if the republicans had rune someone else in 64 and had Mr. Goldwater run again in 1968. The best candidate in 1964 probably would have been Mr. Nixon. Mr. Nixon would have brought out the worst in the left just as Goldwater did and then he could have spent the rest of political life getting even.
It also makes me wonder what if the GOP ran Nelson Rockerfeller in 64?
-Duane Iverson iversons@rrnet.com
I remember Barry Goldwater as the man who, along with William F.
Buckley, formed my political views as a young college student. I do not
think his views in later years are a product of dotage. Unfortunately,
the bedroom police seem to have taken over much of the modern
conservative movement and Goldwater was blunt as usual in speaking out
against those who would legislate morality.
-Richard Brooks
Above all else, Barry Goldwater was a man that stood by his convictions and
we cannot say that many throughout history have had the courage it takes to
do that. Regardless of the party platform, he fought for liberty and had a
commonsense approach that kept getting him elected to the Senate. America
needs more like him.
-Lisa Lynch, Miami Beach, Fl.
In the 1950s, Barry Goldwater secured the abortion of his promiscuous
daugther's illegitimate, unborn baby. Mr. Goldwater lived another 45
years, a span of time in which he had many accomplishments and many
moments of joy. The grandchild whose death he helped arrange did not
experience life outside the womb. Mr. Goldwater's grandchild never got
to experience any joy and was never given the opportunity to accomplish
anything. Ultimately, Barry Goldwater was a rotten human being and one
can only believe that his soul burns in Hell presently.
Sincerely,
-Derek Leaberry, Queenstown, Maryland
If ever I had a political godfather is was Barry Goldwater. In the early
1960's I read his book The Conscience of a Conservative; shortly thereafter
I subscribed to National Review and the rest is history. I remain
overwhelmingly proud to have cast my first vote in any election for him as
President of the United States. I knew then as I know now he was always
right.
Our loss is Heaven's gain.
-Alan Linden
AuH2O-4-64 !!!! The coolest bumper sickers in the history of
presidential politics !!! The braindead in 1964 didn't understand them
anymore than they understood what Goldwater was saying !!! Also it is sad
when you contemplate what kind of election there would have been in '64
had Lee Harvey Oswald not altered history. I'll excuse some exceess of old
age- as I excused my own father for voting for the current resident of the
White House in '92.
-Jim Ochsner, Cortland NY
In the late nineteen fifties, Goldwater's Conscience of a Conservative
revolutionized my thinking at the age of eighteen. I immediately began
reading everything I could about Barry Goldwater and became an abashed devotee
of the man and his views. He inspired me more than any other person to become
an active participant in politics as a conservative and remain one for many,
many years.
-Theodore R. Buddine, Wilkes County, North Carolina
The conservative legacy of Barry Goldwater, though marred by his
secularist contempt for the Christian Right, and his unfortunate
mistaken support for the twin evil pillars of abortion and homosexual
rights, is at least partially redeemable through his one greatest
patriotic act. It was he, and he alone, as the only living American or
American politician, who possessed the requisite courage and fortitude
to stand up to infamous Air Force General Curtis LeMay, in demanding to
know, precisely, what was/is contained in the legendary so-called "Blue
Room" at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. While unsuccessful in his
personal efforts, history has largely vindicated Goldwater's deep
distrust and suspicions respecting General LeMay, his ilk, and their
contemporary successors. (See http://www.cseti.com for current
Washington-based political efforts.)
-Randy Kitchur, kitchur@cc.umanitoba.ca
I will never forget election night of 1964, as I drove just north of Phoenix. On my way home to Albuquerque for a three week leave before departing for a year in Viet Nam, I got an empty feeling in my stomach as I heard the early returns. It appeared obvious that what we all probably knew but could not accept was true - the man who would either win or get us out of the quagmire would not be elected. During that year in Viet Nam, I became even more aware of what we had lost - and witnessed many of the 58,000 young lives cut short by the "war" there which we were never given a chance to win. Those fine young Americans died for no decent purpose, but stepped up and served when their country called. They all needed Barry Goldwater at the helm - someone for whom common sense was more important than political gain. Now they will get the chance to tell him how they feel in person.
-Terry K. Lingle, LCDR, SC, USN (Ret.)
I worked for the election of John Kennedy in 1960 when I was 13. I
carried fliers door to door to help elect a Roman Catholic our
President. 5 years later I worked for Lyndon Johnson who had promised
not to send us thousands of miles to fight a war which should "be fought
by young Asian boys". I was convinced that Barry Goldwater would have
me dressed up in Olive Drab.
-Warren Waldmann
I was downing a few at the local tavern today when someone asked the
barmaid Could she please change the channel? - all the stations were
covering the Goldwater funeral and the patrons wanted sports. Kelsey,
that's the lady behind the bar, she was miffed; thought Phoenicians
should show more respect for a man "who had done so much for Arizona."
"He did a lot more for himself," chimed in The Malcontent. A majority
echoed this sentiment and the channel was changed to baseball.
-M. Caron
Barry Goldwater tried to speak the truth to the Amercan people and was
defeated. Bill Clinton learned his lesson well. Never, ever tell the
truth to the Amercan people and expect to win. Do so only by accident or
chance. However, there is some hope that you will hear the truth from Bill
Clinton at least 50 percent of the time because he usually says yes and no
to most questions. All you have to do is wait a few minutes to hear your
desired response. One thing I have learned in my 60 years. Never place
your blind faith in any man, to do so relegates you to position as that
mans fool. If you don't believe it, listen to the Clinton followers. Rev.
-G. Wright
Mr. Law:
Longstreet as a Confederate leader during the War of Southern
Independence is not questioned. But, Longstreet accepted a commission as an Union soldier
and turned against his own people. Is that is what is called adapting to
"changing circumstances?" Whatever capital of good will that Longstreet built up
was wasted, and then some, in his actions as an Union soldier.
Deo Vindice
-Jaime R. Purcell
Jaime R. Purcell wrote:
"Mr. Goldwater may have been the father of the modern Conservative
movement but what I heard him say in interviews in his
latter years reminded me of Longstreet, CSA, USA.
Deo Vindice"
-Casey R. Law
Of all the major party candidates of this century, with 20/20 hindsight,
Barry Goldwater would have been the sole recipient of my vote. He was the only
politician not concerned with abstract social groups, but the struggle of the
individual. His ideas were the epitome of radicalism* in his day. Like most
conservatives, he knew freedom and responsibility were inseparable but unlike
most conservatives, he knew that government could not legislate or litigate
morality. He knew that that which governs best, governs least. And what
separates him most from any politician in modern history is that he wanted to
lead in order to give others the benefit of his ideas, and did not alter his
ideas in order to lead.
-Paul M.
A contrarian extraordinaire ... a man who, in my opinion, lost some
(arguably much) of his power because he obviously relished intellectual
"bomb-throwing." What was called "forthrightness" and "bluntness" was,
I think, a desire to shock. Psycho-historians of the future will
justifiably conclude that his "outspokenness" was closer to political
body piercing and facial tatooing than deep thought. Those who have
correctly identified the absence of a moral dimension to Goldwater's
brand of conservatism are touching on this point ... this is the reason
for that moral vacuum.
-Arthur M. Yoss, Scottsdale, AZ
These are my thoughts on Sen. and/or Gen. Goldwater. He was a great
politician when he was in the Senate or running for President. He was also a
very popular person around town (here in the Phoenix area). I was a member of
a club that he was also a member. I thought he was a very nice person.
-DCC in Scottsdale, Arizona
For a little balance on Goldwater's legacy may I suggest Don Feder's article of June 2. It can be found at:
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/cols/feder.html
-Howard Holley
"A government big enough to give you everything you need is also big enough
to take it all away." Enough said.
-Alan Ecton, Houston TX
His early speeches (64) were right on. He was ahead of his time; however, he
lacked the underlying conservative morality to lead the conservative cause
later in life (abortion, homosexuality, support of Bill Clinton).
-RJones2148@aol.com
Barry Goldwater was one of the few politicians my parents spoke of with respect during my early childhood. I don't remember his 1964 campaign, but I do remember that, whereas LBJ was "Light Bulb" in our house, and even Nixon was often "Tricky Dick", Goldwater was just Goldwater, and we listened to him earnestly and expected sincerity and honor of him.
-J. E. Dyer
We can stand on the shoulders of giants for only so long. We must
eventually choose to fall off or make more giants.
-Matthew Heino
Mr. Goldwater may have been the father of the modern Conservative movement but what I heard him say in interviews in his latter years reminded me of Longstreet, CSA, USA.
Deo Vindice
-Jaime R. Purcell
I am too young to remember Sen. Goldwater.
I find myself alarmed that there is no "giant" conservative of Mr.
Goldwater's caliber. I can only hope that one comes along in my
generation that will refute with authority the liberal "machine" that is
dragging down America by the belly button ring of it's children (my
children). He will be missed - even by those who were born after the
zenith of his political career. Somebody please send the Republicans a
replacement - and quickly!
-cjmcknight
On the death of Goldwater a few tidbits.
First, LBJ ran a nice dirty campaign but that did not win him the election. Goldwater lost the election on 11/22/1963 in Dallas. Nothing short of catching LBJ in bed with a donkey would have defeated him.
second, If Goldwater had won in 1964, he would still have had an intractable congress. Unless the [Viet] Cong had cooperated and bombed Pearl Harbor, things might not have gone as different as people think.
Yes, we wouldn't have had the grate society, at least not 1964, but after Vietnam fell, Goldwater and the Republicans would have been blamed. and the brush would have tarred much more effectively then it ever could on Nixon.
-Duane Iverson
I will always remember Barry Goldwater as an original thinker, an honest man and
a true leader. America and the world lost when Barry Goldwater lost his presidential
race in 1964. Goldwater was a giant. RIP
-Jacob Pedhatzur, val-tech@actcom.co.il
I was 10 years old in 1964, and in October of that year, Senator Goldwater
came to Dover, Delaware to give a campaign speech. Due to school crowding, we
were in half-day sessions all year, and, since I was in the A.M group, my
parents made sure that I got there to see and hear him. Several of my
relatives helped in the Delaware campaign. Nobody in my family ever
apologized for supporting him, as LBJ was too much of a "wheeler-dealer" for
their comfort. History shows that they were right.
He was, and remains, right. R.I.P., AuH2O.
-Richard McKee, Dover, Delaware
BOOM!! BOOM!! BOOM!! I was five when Goldwater ran for President. My
parents voted for him. Mom Fahvaag, confirmed this when questioned
recently. My father was sent to Vietnam in 1966 by LBJ's enlightened
elites, and we listened to his disgust upon his return. He confirmed that
Johnson/McNamara were escalating the war, without the slightest idea of how
to conduct it, or why they were fighting. We got what we paid for in 1964,
A tin plated socialist who lied to win an election. It is strange how we
keep falling into the same trap. Barry Goldwater dared to tell the truth.
He had the integrity lose while doing it. He stood by his principles
instead of standing by his pollster. I will repeat his most famous phrase
for all those who call us extreme. "Extremism in the defense of liberty is
no vice. Moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue." I will
continue to live by that message. It is honest, and above all correct.
"Traitor Bill" and other lefties may take advantage of Mr. Goldwater's
pronouncements made in his dotage, but they will never erase his message of
conservatism. Let us take his advice pursue justice, and rid ourselves of
this corrupt administration by impeaching and removing from office "The
Dope from Hope" and the "Ozone Hole from the Mayflower Hotel". Forbes in
2000!! Keyes for VP!! BOOM!! BOOM!! BOOM!! BOOM!!
-The Mighty Fahvaag
Being a young 21 years of age, I don't have any political
memories of Barry Goldwater, but he has still affected my life. As a
freshman in college three years ago, I checked out Conscience of a
Conservative from the school library. I read the chapter about labor
unions first and then proceeded to read the rest of the book in about
three hours. It has been the only major writing by any one of
prominince that I have read in such a short time. It was a
marvelously direct and well written book.
-Stephen Goldsworth
Continued. . .
