Barry Goldwater, American general and politician (d. 1998)

Barry Morris Goldwater (January 2, 1909 – May 29, 1998) was a quintessential American figure whose multifaceted career spanned politics, business, and military service. A lifelong resident of Arizona, he served an impressive five terms as a United States Senator from the Grand Canyon State, holding office from 1953 to 1965 and again from 1969 to 1987. Beyond his significant tenure in Congress, Goldwater is perhaps best remembered as the Republican Party's presidential nominee in the pivotal 1964 election.

The Architect of Modern Conservatism: Barry Goldwater's Enduring Legacy

Barry Goldwater is widely recognized as the individual most instrumental in igniting the resurgence of the American conservative political movement in the 1960s. Despite suffering a monumental landslide defeat in the 1964 presidential election against incumbent Democrat Lyndon B. Johnson—one of the largest margins in U.S. history, where Goldwater secured only six states and 52 electoral votes—his campaign was far from a failure in the long run. Political analysts and historians often assert that Goldwater's candidacy laid the crucial groundwork for the conservative revolution that followed.

His uncompromising conservative platform galvanized a dedicated grassroots movement and fostered a significant ideological shift within the Republican Party. This transformation initiated a long-term realignment in American politics, ultimately paving the way for the "Reagan Revolution" of the 1980s, which saw Ronald Reagan, a staunch Goldwater supporter, become the standard-bearer of the conservative movement. Goldwater's influence was not limited to the mainstream conservative movement; he also exerted a substantial impact on the nascent libertarian movement, particularly through his later advocacy for individual liberties.

Early Life, Military Service, and Entry into Politics

Born in Phoenix, then part of the Arizona Territory, Goldwater came from a prominent family that owned Goldwater's Department Store, a significant regional retail chain founded by his Jewish immigrant grandfather. He gained early business acumen managing the family enterprise. With the United States' entry into World War II, Goldwater received a reserve commission in the United United States Army Air Force. A trained pilot, he was assigned to the Ferry Command, a newly formed, critical unit responsible for flying aircraft and vital supplies to war zones across the globe, demonstrating his early commitment to national service.

After the war, Goldwater embarked on his political career, first winning election to the Phoenix City Council in 1949. His rapid ascent continued, leading to his successful election to the U.S. Senate in 1952, marking the beginning of his national political journey.

A Maverick in the Senate: Policy Stances and the Civil Rights Debate

In the Senate, Goldwater quickly established himself as a vocal opponent of the expansive federal programs and philosophy inherited from President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal era. He frequently aligned with the "conservative coalition" of fiscally conservative Southern Democrats and like-minded Republicans, actively challenging the "New Deal coalition" that had dominated American politics for decades. Goldwater earned a reputation as a "maverick" due to his willingness to defy and challenge the more moderate to liberal wing of his own Republican Party on various policy issues, advocating for limited government and individual freedom.

His stance on civil rights, however, presented a complex and often misunderstood aspect of his political career. A personal member of the NAACP and an active supporter of desegregation efforts in his home state of Phoenix, Goldwater voted in favor of the Civil Rights Acts of 1957 and 1960, and also supported the 24th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which abolished the poll tax. Yet, he famously, and with considerable personal anguish, opposed the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964. His opposition was rooted not in a lack of belief in racial equality—a principle he staunchly affirmed—but in his conviction that certain provisions, specifically those pertaining to public accommodations (Title II) and employment discrimination (Title VII), constituted an unconstitutional overreach of federal power into the affairs of states and private enterprise. This principled, albeit controversial, constitutional stand significantly impacted his public image at the time.

The Historic 1964 Presidential Campaign

In 1964, Goldwater successfully mobilized a passionate and dedicated conservative constituency to secure the Republican presidential nomination after a hard-fought primary contest, notably against more moderate figures like Nelson Rockefeller. A significant historical footnote of his candidacy is that, despite being raised Episcopalian, Goldwater was the first candidate of Jewish descent (through his paternal lineage) ever nominated for president by a major American political party. His platform, however, failed to resonate with a majority of the national electorate, leading to his overwhelming loss to Lyndon B. Johnson, who campaigned on a promise of continuity and social progress.

Return to the Senate and Elder Statesman Role

After his presidential defeat, Goldwater returned to the Senate in 1969. During this second tenure, he specialized increasingly in critical areas of defense and foreign policy, leveraging his military background and deep understanding of national security. He matured into an elder statesman within the Republican Party, earning profound respect from colleagues across the political spectrum for his unwavering honor and dedication to core principles. This respect was profoundly demonstrated in 1974 when Goldwater played a pivotal role in urging President Richard Nixon to resign amid the escalating Watergate scandal. Confronted by Goldwater, who conveyed the imminent threat of impeachment and the complete erosion of congressional support, Nixon recognized his untenable position and stepped down.

Legislative Achievements and Final Chapter

Goldwater narrowly won re-election in 1980, securing what would become his final and arguably most influential term in the Senate. A crowning legislative achievement of his career came in 1986 with his oversight of the passage of the Goldwater–Nichols Department of Defense Reorganization Act. This landmark legislation significantly restructured the Pentagon, strengthening civilian authority and improving the operational efficiency and coordination among the different branches of the U.S. military, fundamentally reshaping the Department of Defense for decades to come.

He retired from the Senate in 1987, succeeded by Congressman John McCain, who lauded Goldwater as the individual who "transformed the Republican Party from an Eastern elitist organization to the breeding ground for the election of Ronald Reagan." Goldwater had been a strong supporter of Reagan's 1980 presidential campaign, recognizing in Reagan's powerful "A Time for Choosing" speech and overall platform a clear echo and fulfillment of the conservative principles he had championed in 1964. As George Will, the astute Washington Post columnist, famously remarked about Goldwater's enduring influence: "We ... who voted for him in 1964 believe he won, it just took 16 years to count the votes."

Towards the end of his career and particularly after leaving the Senate, Goldwater's views on social and cultural issues evolved and solidified into a distinctly libertarian stance. He became an outspoken critic of the growing influence of the religious right within the Republican Party, publicly criticizing figures like Pat Robertson and others who he felt were attempting to "make a religious organization out of it." In line with his emphasis on individual liberty, he controversially for his time, supported policies such as allowing homosexuals to serve openly in the military, advocating for strong environmental protection, supporting abortion rights, and favoring the legalization of medicinal marijuana. These positions underscored his commitment to personal freedom over governmental or moralistic intervention.

Frequently Asked Questions About Barry Goldwater

What was Barry Goldwater best known for?

Barry Goldwater is most widely recognized for being the Republican Party's presidential nominee in 1964 and for sparking the modern American conservative political movement. His candidacy, despite a significant loss, laid the ideological groundwork for future conservative successes, including the "Reagan Revolution."

Why was Goldwater's 1964 presidential campaign significant despite his loss?

His 1964 campaign was significant because it mobilized a dedicated grassroots conservative base, shifted the Republican Party's ideological center, and introduced uncompromising conservative principles to a national audience. Although he lost in a landslide, his ideas and the movement he inspired profoundly influenced future political realignments and led to the rise of Ronald Reagan.

What was the Goldwater-Nichols Act?

The Goldwater-Nichols Department of Defense Reorganization Act of 1986 was a landmark piece of legislation overseen by Goldwater. It significantly reformed the U.S. military command structure, strengthening civilian authority within the Department of Defense and improving inter-service coordination and efficiency for joint military operations.

Did Barry Goldwater support the Civil Rights Act of 1964?

No, Barry Goldwater notably opposed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, a decision that caused him personal distress. His opposition was based on his constitutional interpretation that certain provisions of the Act represented an overreach of federal power into state and private affairs, not on a lack of belief in racial equality. He had, however, supported earlier civil rights legislation (1957 and 1960) and was a member of the NAACP.

How did Goldwater's views evolve later in his career?

Towards the end of his career and after leaving the Senate, Goldwater's views on social and cultural issues became increasingly libertarian. He openly criticized the religious right within the Republican Party and advocated for positions such as gay people serving openly in the military, environmental protection, abortion rights, and the legalization of medicinal marijuana, emphasizing individual liberty.