I missed this HBO special when it aired originally but TiVo’d the re-airing of it yesterday morning. For whatever reason, I was not into last night’s football game so I watched this instead. I’m really glad that I did.
There were so many things in the documentary, put together by Goldwater’s granddaughter, that make this a must see for anyone who is interested in politics at any level.
Mr. Conservative: Goldwater on Goldwater includes interviews with Senators Edward Kennedy, Hillary Rodham Clinton (a onetime “Goldwater Girl”) and John McCain (who succeeded Goldwater in Arizona); former TV anchorman Walter Cronkite; humorist Al Franken; TV correspondent Robert MacNeil; former Washington Post editor Ben Bradlee; author George Will; 60 Minutes’ Andy Rooney; CBS News’ Bob Schieffer; White House reporter Helen Thomas; political consultant James Carville; former White House Counsel John Dean; Goldwater’s brother, Bob; sons Barry, Jr. (a onetime House Representative from California) and Michael; daughters Joanne and Peggy; and others.
Watching this, I got a much better sense of the total man that Goldwater was, including the glimpse into his relationship with his children. It was painful to watch his 68-year-old namesake, Barry Jr., talk about Goldwater’s failings as a father, with tears in his eyes. But it was enlightening to hear, in Goldwater’s own words, what conservatism is and should be. And it has prompted me to read his book, “Conscience of a Conservative.”
Two things really stand out for me in this documentary. First, it was Goldwater’s own words from 1963 in which he said that people would soon be calling him a liberal. In fact, Cronkite does exactly that. Goldwater’s stances on gays in the military and abortion reflect those that are today considered liberal but which are entirely consistent with his libertarian background. Consistency is something that I value highly and is rarely seen in politicians of any persuasion.
The second is the clip of Martin Luther King Jr. In the clip, King essentially lays out why blacks broke with the Republican party at this time. Goldwater voted against the Civil Rights Act of 1964, again, consistent with his principles. Julian Bond echos the sentiments of those who were there, calling Goldwater “wrong” on this issue.
In my discussions with a couple of people who were old enough to remember the 1964 campaign, the general sense was that Goldwater was a crazy, warmongering bigot. I can see that point of view in the documentary. But I also saw a refreshingly honest guy, who was willing to say some very non-PC things (including mentioning his Jewish heritage) because he actually believed what he was saying.
Wouldn’t it be nice if politicians today did the same thing?
Oh – and on that liberal thing? Don’t think so. Maybe on social issues, but his mantra of smaller government and the need to adhere to the constitution puts him squarely in the conservative camp.
Technorati Tags: Barry Goldwater
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
If Barry Goldwater were alive today I’d put down a bet that he’d be a Webb Supporter.
It’s a shame the neocons have taken over the conservative label and disgraced it so badly….
Buzz…Buzz….
I’ll bet if Vivian talked about Transformers or Power Rangers he would find some way to bring it back to Webb… Obsessed much?
By The Way, Optimus Prime is SO an Allen supporter
Hm, Transformers & Power Rangers I’m a bit familiar with. But Optimus Prime ???