John... Susannah is right about Joe McCarthy.
He was right on so many issues, but might have gone about things a little more delicately. He was pillored by the left of this Country, and his reputation has never recovered.
I grew up in a very conservative family. My father, a WW2 Veteran - who flew B-29's out of Guam, understood the value of freedom, and conservative thought. I used to watch his liberal friends become angry with him during discussions of politics. He on the other hand would not get angry, and would continue to argue with reasoned, logical answers. He would get slapped down, but he'd come up smiling after each bout.
He once told us that although conservatives are accused of being closed minded, they are the most open minded people there are. This addage has stuck with me my entire life, and it continues to hold true!