“MR. CONSERVATIVE”
∗ Born January 2, 1909 in Phoenix — most of his life he believed his birthday was January 1, but eventually discovered it was actually a day later
∗ Attended the University of Arizona for one year, leaving school upon his father’s death in 1929 to run the Phoenix operation of Goldwater’s department store, which his grandfather had founded
∗ Served as an Air Force Reserve pilot during World War II, flying supply missions to war zones, mostly in Asia; retired as a Major General
∗ Founded and desegregated the Arizona Air National Guard in 1947 and is credited with helping to integrate the U.S. armed forces in 1949
∗ Elected Phoenix city councilman in 1949, leading the newly formed Charter Government non-partisan slate that would dominate city politics for more than 30 years
∗ Elected U.S. Senator from Arizona in 1952, defeating Senate Majority Leader Ernest McFarland; re-elected in 1958; did not seek re-election in 1964 to run for U.S. President
∗ “Wrote” The Conscience Of A Conservative, an enormously influential 1960 best-seller largely based on his speeches; the book was actually ghost written by his speechwriter, L. Brent Bozell
∗ Earned the nickname “Mr. Conservative” by his staunch opposition to communism, labor unions and big government, while strongly supporting the military, business and states’ rights
∗ Nominated by the Republican Party in 1964 as its presidential candidate, famously proclaiming in his acceptance speech, “I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue”
∗ Lost the 1964 presidential election in a landslide to incumbent Lyndon B. Johnson, winning 38% of the vote and carrying only Arizona and five states in the Deep South, but his candidacy had long-term influence in laying a foundation for the developing conservative movement
∗ Was the first Republican presidential candidate in a century to win solidly in the South and set the stage for Republican dominance in the region that continues today
∗ Helped shine the spotlight on Ronald Reagan in 1964, leading to Reagan entering politics and winning the California governorship in 1966
∗ Elected again to the U.S. Senate in 1968; re-elected in 1974 and 1980; retired in January 1987
∗ Viewed as much-respected “elder statesman” by both parties after returning to Senate; led a three-person congressional delegation that in August 1974 help persuade Richard Nixon to resign the presidency
∗ Loathed the Religious Right’s power grab of the Republican Party in the 1980s, calling them “a bunch of kooks” [When Moral Majority founder Jerry Falwell opposed Arizonan Sandra Day O’Connor’s nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court, saying “Every good Christian should be concerned,” Goldwater famously responded, “Every good Christian ought to kick Falwell right in the ass”]
∗ Chose libertarian values over party doctrine, supporting abortion rights and opposing the military’s ban on gays (“You don’t need to be straight to fight and die for your country; you just need to shoot straight”)
∗ Was an avid photographer of Arizona landscapes and Native Americans, publishing three books; longtime friend and photographer Ansel Adams wrote the forward for the last one in 1976; had more than 230 photos published in Arizona Highways magazine
∗ Collected kachina dolls since boyhood, and donated 437 of them to the Heard Museum in Phoenix
∗ Was a lifelong amateur “ham” radio operator, famously connecting U.S. soldiers with their families during the Vietnam War
∗ Died May 29, 1998 at home in Paradise Valley; buried at the nearby Episcopal Christ Church of the Ascension
∗ Inspired the naming of Barry Goldwater Memorial Park on Tatum Blvd. (just north of Lincoln Drive) in Paradise Valley; Barry M. Goldwater High School in Phoenix; and Barry M. Goldwater Terminal 4 at Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix
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