[Verginius Rufus]

Goldwater was painted as a warmonger and trigger-happy. He got the nomination because of the enthusiasm of conservatives, but also because he didn't have to face any strong opponent for the nomination. Maybe the big names all figured it was a Democrat year and they should wait until 1968.

The media tried to build up Gov. Scranton of Pennsylvania but that didn't get very far...he was an unknown and just a "not Goldwater" vote. National Review had a joke which ran: "What do you think of Scranton?" "I don't know--I've never been there."

[dfwgator]

Goldwater was painted as a warmonger and trigger-happy

I was told if I voted for Goldwater that we'd have riots in the streets and would get into a long unwinnable war. I voted for him, and darned if they weren't right.