Barry Goldwater

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1964RepublicanPresidentialPrimaries

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Barry Goldwater photo1962.jpg Goldwater in 1962

Barry Morris Goldwater (January 2, 1909 – May 29, 1998) was an American politician, businessman, and author who was a five-term United States Senator from Arizona (1953–1965, 1969–1987) and the Republican Party nominee for President of the United States in the 1964 election. Goldwater is often credited with sparking the resurgence of the American conservative political movement in the 1960s.

Early Life and Education

Goldwater was born in Phoenix, Arizona, to Baron and Josephine Goldwater. His family was of Jewish descent, but he was raised in the Episcopal Church. He attended Staunton Military Academy and later the University of Arizona, although he did not graduate.

Military Service

During World War II, Goldwater served as a pilot in the United States Army Air Forces, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He flew transport missions over the Himalayas to supply the Republic of China.

Political Career

Goldwater entered politics in 1949, winning a seat on the Phoenix City Council. In 1952, he was elected to the United States Senate, defeating incumbent Ernest McFarland. Goldwater was known for his staunch conservatism and opposition to the New Deal and the Great Society programs.

1964 Presidential Campaign

Goldwater won the Republican nomination for president in 1964, running against incumbent Lyndon B. Johnson. His campaign was marked by a strong stance against the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which he believed was an overreach of federal power. Goldwater's slogan, "In your heart, you know he's right," contrasted with Johnson's "In your guts, you know he's nuts." Goldwater lost the election in a landslide, winning only six states.

Return to the Senate

After his presidential defeat, Goldwater returned to the Senate in 1969, where he served until his retirement in 1987. During his later years in the Senate, he became known for his advocacy of civil liberties and his opposition to the religious right's influence on the Republican Party.

Legacy

Goldwater is remembered as a pivotal figure in the rise of American conservatism. His book, The Conscience of a Conservative, remains influential among conservative thinkers. Despite his loss in the 1964 presidential election, his ideas laid the groundwork for the Reagan Revolution of the 1980s.

Related Pages

• United States Senate
• Republican Party (United States)
• 1964 United States presidential election
• Ronald Reagan
• Conservatism in the United States