I think Goldwater killed all of his influence on conservatism with his late-in-life conversion to liberalism, especially when he came out in favor of abortion.
That doesn't make much sense because RWR on the front flap of Goldwater's 1979 book "With No Apologies" gives him a glowing review.
Besides, the abortion issue is miniscule compared to economy and defense.
For the one's that put abortion over all other issues, like freedom and restoring our constitution (which would kick Roe back to the states where it belongs), what can I say?
So far the flavor is that he's now irrelevent?
Or are you just to young to know better?