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For just a few votes more

For Conservatives a day of decision is fast approaching, an Arthur Larson moment. Larson served in the administration of Dwight D. Eisenhower and penned a tome entitled “What we are for.” Well, Conservatives are there, trying to struggle with the reality of Donald Trump. No doubt they will blame the confusion on him, but in fact their dilemma began a little further back in 1964.

That was the year Barry Goldwater received the GOP nomination in San Francisco. Prior to being the Republican standard bearer he was the undisputed leader of American Conservatism — the “conscience” of the movement. He was a hardliner on Communism and a fierce opponent of organized labor and expensive government programs including Social Security and Medicare. But he fought with open-visor and integrity and tried to avoid the hot-button issue until the summer of 1964.

Civil Rights was on the agenda and Conservatives were divided. Not Republicans in the Senate where Goldwater served, who backed the Civil Rights bill overwhelmingly. However, lagging in the polls, Goldwater decided to take advantage of what he considered an opening in the South. Despite having voted for the Civil Rights bills of 1957 and 1960, he was one of a few Republicans who voted against the 1964 version.

Why he did it was practical, explaining he had to go hunting “where the ducks are” and that meant the South. With George Wallace threatening a third-party bid, Goldwater made a snap decision based on tactics rather than the long run. Goldwater, who was certainly no racist, made a decision that would have profound consequences for him and the Conservative movement.

With the gradual absorption of the South the GOP began to use tactics unbecoming the party of Abraham Lincoln. Strom Thurmond joined their ranks and brought in habits from the old Democratic party. In Alabama, where the Republicans led by John Grenier and James Martin were forced to out-Wallace George Wallace. Good government Republicans suddenly began to imitate those they had once had despised, good old boy wool hat Democrats. What was a practical political decision suddenly seemed more ominous.

One could ask if Goldwater had followed the “better angels of his nature,” whether race would disappear as a political issue. Difficult to say, but intriguing nonetheless. The wedge issue — a Democratic practice in primaries — became a staple. Lee Atwater’s notorious “Willie Horton” ad stained the victory of George H.W. Bush. Ronald Reagan avoided the issue usually but even he, on occasion, would employ it. Now Trump uses the whole tool box –from “Pocahontas” to endorsing the alt-Right.

For a few votes more they encouraged Roy Moore’s rantings on the bench. For a few votes more they coupled with organizations they despised. Tactics reflected the overweening desire for power that left the GOP without mooring or substance. A bit like the old Democrats who reigned for years in the South.

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