Quote from barry Goldwater

[rpannier]

“Mark my word, if and when these preachers get control of the party, and they’re sure trying to do so, it’s going to be a terrible damn problem. Frankly, these people frighten me. Politics and governing demand compromise. But these Christians believe they are acting in the name of God, so they can’t and won’t compromise. I know, I’ve tried to deal with them.”
~Barry Goldwater

[No Elephants]

1. Thanks, rpannier.

Stopped Clock Paradox.

(Potential title for an episode of Big Bang Theory)


Maybe Barry wasn't much on compromise himself and was doing a bit of projecting?

The following is stated in a positive way. Still, if you read between the lines....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_Goldwater

Wiki says that Goldwater inspired the modern libertarian movement. I once heard Libertarian Drew Carey describe a Libertarian as "a Republican who likes to smoke pot."

In the 1950s, though, Goldwater might have (but, AFAIK, did not) self-describe as a socially moderate, uber conservative who likes to drink and smoke cigarettes. That would have caused him to butt heads with the religious right of the Republican Party. (Before Roe v. Wade, more religious people were on both sides of aisle.) With both Goldwater and the religious right being doctrinaire, "sternly-worded" clashes were probably inevitable.


You have inspired me to embark upon an OP about Goldwater. I started it, but will not finish today. I will post it soon, though.

[rpannier]

2. Goldwater also believed in the following

A woman's right to abortion
That gays should be able to serve in the military (You don't need to be straight to fight and die for your country. You just need to shoot straight)
On Jerry Falwell. I think every good Christian ought to kick Jerry Falwell in the ass
On Richard Nixon: I wouldn't trust Nixon from here to that phone

Reading quotes from people like Truman, Goldwater and LBJ among others,. make me sorry for what politics have become. I didn't always agree with what they said, but at least when I voted for them or their opponent I knew what I would get (for the most part)

[No Elephants]

3. Yes, I know, but, like Ron and Rand Paul, Goldwater also believed in a lot of awful things.

There will be more on that in my Op about him.

Meanwhile, there is also this:

In 1964, he {Nixon} supported Arizona Senator Barry Goldwater for the Republican nomination for president; when Goldwater was successful in gaining the nomination, Nixon was selected to introduce the candidate to the convention.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nixon#Return_to_public_life

I would bet my home that Goldwater voted for Nixon (or someone worse) every time that Nixon ran as Vice President or President.

As is so often said, especially in reference to politicians, "Talk is cheap, beer nuts cost money."

I am sorry for what politics is, too.

However, Enthusiast (about whom I am a little worried--he usually checks in every day--), gave me a lot of food for thought when he said that the New Deal may have been to stave off any threat of an uprising by Americans. That had never dawned on me. But it did jibe with other things I knew. Another day, I will try to find that thread and kick it.

Whatever, things have gone downhill.

[No Elephants]

4. I did find the thread--My Third Truman Speech Post--and kicked.

the stuff I was talking about is in the replies, not the OP.

[Enthusiast]

5. Then Saint Ronnie

aligned with those zealots and took the Republican Party down the rat hole. The rest is history.

[No Elephants]

6. Then Clinton aligned with Ronnie and took the Party down a rathole.

And Obama dug deeper.