[Bubba_Leroy]

I am old enough to remember when the GOPe cried in collective anguish over how nominating Ronald Reagan would ruin the party and guarantee the re-election of Jimmy Carter.

The GOPe always points to Goldwater in 1964 as proof that the sheeple will not elect a Conservative. The fact is that the only reason Goldwater lost was because President Kennedy had been assassinated less than one year before.

If Kennedy had not been assassinated then Kennedy would have lost to Goldwater. Because Kennedy had just been assassinated his successor, LBJ, was unbeatable. Less than four years later, when emotions over the Kennedy assassination had died down, LBJ couldn’t get re-elected dog catcher and dropped out of the race.

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

I was alive then as well. In fact Kennedy went to Texas because Goldwater was either ahead in the polls or making serious inroads.

[EQAndyBuzz]

“If Kennedy had not been assassinated then Kennedy would have lost to Goldwater. Because Kennedy had just been assassinated his successor, LBJ, was unbeatable. Less than four years later, when emotions over the Kennedy assassination had died down, LBJ couldn’t get re-elected dog catcher and dropped out of the race”

I don’t think Kennedy would have lost.

[FourPeas]

The fact is that the only reason Goldwater lost was because President Kennedy had been assassinated less than one year before.

Exactly.

[duffee]

Also Goldwater did not have the support of the “Country Club Republicans”, the GOPeers of their day.