So Long, Barry

With the thump of the final gavel of the 99th Congress, the curtain came down on the long and remarkable political career of Barry Morris Goldwater. At the age of 77, he is going home to Arizona.

Washington has long since lost its charm for him. His old senatorial cronies have all died or retired. His arthritic hips, despite the implacement of artificial joints, leave him racked with pain and often confined to a wheelchair. Besides, even in purely political terms he feels passed by. He was shocked by the narrow margin of his 1980 re-election, and ruefully admits that he just isn’t in close touch, any more, with the oncoming generations in Arizona.

WA

About the Author

William A. Rusher

Featured Tags

Presidential Election

William F. Buckley Jr.

With the thump of the final gavel of the 99th Congress, the curtain came down on the long and remarkable political career of Barry Morris Goldwater. At the age of 77, he is going home to Arizona.

Washington has long since lost its charm for him. His old senatorial cronies have all died or retired. His arthritic hips, despite the implacement of artificial joints, leave him racked with pain and often confined to a wheelchair. Besides, even in purely political terms he feels passed by. He was shocked by the narrow margin of his 1980 re-election, and ruefully admits that he just isn’t in close touch, any more, with the oncoming generations in Arizona.