… Despite its demolition at the hands of Lyndon Johnson in 1964, the Goldwater campaign is fondly remembered by many Republicans for re-setting the party’s ideological compass. For three decades prior, Republicans argue, the GOP embraced “me-tooism,” simply providing the electorate with a lite version of the Democratic Party. Many conservatives wanted A Choice, Not an Echo, to borrow the title of the famous book by conservative activist Phyllis Schlafly. Goldwater provided it. …
One of the modern-day Tea Party champions is Rand Paul, and he certainly takes after Goldwater on domestic policy in advocating for a smaller, less obtrusive federal government. But where they differ is on matters of war and peace. [cont.]
Kyle Kondik, Sabato’s Crystal Ball