Lessons of the Nomination Drive

Politics is a notoriously inexact science, and we must accordingly treasure any opportunity to test our theories in the crucible of practical experience. The 1964 Republican preconvention campaign is over, and it is rich in lessons for those who would dice with destiny in the arena of American politics. Let us learn what we can—and remember.

First, let us be very clear what Goldwater’s victory in the nomination race does not mean. It does not mean, necessarily, that serious conservatism (let alone the crackpot variety) is the choice of the American people as a whole. That is debatable—unless Goldwater should win in November. Realism requires us to acknowledge that Johnson is the favourite today. There is nothing surprising about this. The American voter has been subjected to 30 years of unremitting Liberal propaganda, most of it from the heights of power, and it is asking too much to expect that this will wash off in a single scrubbing. Whatever the outcome, the Goldwater campaign is an indispensable first step toward righting the dangerously distorted balance of American politics. Whether it alone will prove sufficient for the purpose remains to be seen.

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William A. Rusher

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Barry Goldwater

Republican Party

Presidential Election

Politics is a notoriously inexact science, and we must accordingly treasure any opportunity to test our theories in the crucible of practical experience. The 1964 Republican preconvention campaign is over, and it is rich in lessons for those who would dice with destiny in the arena of American politics. Let us learn what we can—and remember.

First, let us be very clear what Goldwater’s victory in the nomination race does not mean. It does not mean, necessarily, that serious conservatism (let alone the crackpot variety) is the choice of the American people as a whole. That is debatable—unless Goldwater should win in November. Realism requires us to acknowledge that Johnson is the favourite today. There is nothing surprising about this. The American voter has been subjected to 30 years of unremitting Liberal propaganda, most of it from the heights of power, and it is asking too much to expect that this will wash off in a single scrubbing. Whatever the outcome, the Goldwater campaign is an indispensable first step toward righting the dangerously distorted balance of American politics. Whether it alone will prove sufficient for the purpose remains to be seen.