Goldwater may have been jealous of Reagan’s success. He endorsed Ford in the 1976 primaries. Goldwater can in many ways be called a “RINO” in sharp contrast to his 1964 campaign.
He was jealous. Unfortunately, as it turned out, Goldwater was more Libertarian than Conservative and had little use for pro-lifer religious Conservatives being brought into the party in the ‘70s and ‘80s. His last two terms in office were a considerable disappointment and a prime example of what happens when a formerly respected individual stays in office far too long. Add to that, he largely embraced the radical homosexual lobby in his final years.