1964: Lyndon Johnson vs. Barry Goldwater

[DevotedDemocrat]

Who would you choice?
For me, the choice is incredibly easy--LBJ all the way.

[Goldwater]

AuH2O!

[Donerail]

"Mark my word, if and when these preachers get control of the [Republican] party, and they're sure trying to do so, it's going to be a terrible damn problem." Goldwater easily, enthusiastically, and without regrets. Greatest President we never had, especially compared to the quality of his opponent.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Johnson, in one of the easiest and most enthusiastic votes I'd ever do in the US.

[Lief 🗽]

You'd have to be a real horrible person to vote for Barry "State's Rights" Goldwater.

[Donerail]

A vote for Johnson is a vote for thousands of civilians and innocents to die needlessly in a senseless war. Just throwing that out there.

You'd have to be a real horrible person to vote for Barry "State's Rights" Goldwater.

Almost, just almost, but not quite as awful as voting for the murder of thousands.

[Antonio the Sixth]

A vote for Johnson is a vote for thousands of civilians and innocents to die needlessly in a senseless war. Just throwing that out there.

You'd have to be a real horrible person to vote for Barry "State's Rights" Goldwater.

Almost, just almost, but not quite as awful as voting for the murder of thousands.

Because Goldwater was such a hardcore pacifist...

[Sewer]

Eric Hass.

[Lief 🗽]

You'd have to be a real horrible person to vote for Barry "State's Rights" Goldwater.

Almost, just almost, but not quite as awful as voting for the murder of thousands.

Better than nuking Vietnam and starting a WWIII.

[Goldwater]

I'm honored to be considered a real horrible person by you, Lief.

[Donerail]

You'd have to be a real horrible person to vote for Barry "State's Rights" Goldwater.

Almost, just almost, but not quite as awful as voting for the murder of thousands.

Better than nuking Vietnam and starting a WWIII.

Goldwater (poster) probably knows it... there was a Goldwater quote about how Johnson portrayed him as a HP and then went on to lead us to a devastating, demoralizing war. Forget the exact wording though.

[SPC]

You'd have to be a real horrible person to vote for Barry "State's Rights" Goldwater.

Almost, just almost, but not quite as awful as voting for the murder of thousands.

Better than nuking Vietnam and starting a WWIII.

Goldwater (poster) probably knows it... there was a Goldwater quote about how Johnson portrayed him as a HP and then went on to lead us to a devastating, demoralizing war. Forget the exact wording though.

http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/William_F._Buckley,_Jr.#Misattributed

[dead0man]

I'm honored to be considered a real horrible person by you, Lief.

Indeed, praise from Ceaser.

[Torie]

I remember that election well. My parents and I all thought that Goldwater was unfit. But I persuaded my parents to vote for Goldwater to try to keep LBJ's margin down - and the ensuing hubris - knowing that he would lose. If he had any chance of winning, then LBJ all the way.

[RogueBeaver]

Goldwater.

[Sopranos Republican]

I'm honored to be considered a real horrible person by you, Lief.

Yes, and I hope I too can have that honor.

But in a very tough decision, my vote goes to....................  LBJ.

[Lambsbread]

Eric Hass.

I guess

[Obamanation]

All the way with LBJ!

[Maxwell]

Goldwater might have ran in the worst possible time for him to run, but I still would've voted for Goldwater.

[TDAS04]

LBJ

Having said that, there are many things that I admire about Goldwater.  He was passionate in what he believed in, and he was an honest man.  He took Nixon to task.  Goldwater had far more consistency in promoting limited government than many self-proclaimed "small government" conservatives; he understood that it was no better for government to discriminate against gays and lesbians than it was for it to force social security on people.

He was no bigot himself, so it is unfortunate that his legacy is tarnished by his vote against the Civil Rights Act.  It was still very wrong, though.  I would have voted for LBJ; he was not that bad of president (Vietnam aside).  He does deserve much credit for getting the Civil Rights Act through.

[Oldiesfreak1854]

"Mark my word, if and when these preachers get control of the [Republican] party, and they're sure trying to do so, it's going to be a terrible damn problem." Goldwater easily, enthusiastically, and without regrets. Greatest President we never had, especially compared to the quality of his opponent.

That comment was almost prophetic.  Anyway, Goldwater.  I would've supported Nelson Rockefeller in the primaries, but since Goldwater was nominated, and especially considering what a jerk LBJ really was, the choice is still pretty easy for me.

[nolesfan2011]

all the way with LBJ and the great society! in your gut you know Goldwater is nuts (and against civil rights and healthcare)

[Dr. Cynic]

Eric Hass.

Yep. I can't vote for Johnson knowing Vietnam is coming. That way, I could hold onto my leftist conscience, still knowing that Johnson will win anyway.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Goldwater of 1988 not likely but Goldwater of 1964? Not a chance in hell - he had some decent concepts... but there's a little too much fetishisation from single-issue libertarians today. A bit like those who love Ron Paul on things like war and drugs, but forget about... well, everything else.

Johnson had issues, but the War does not override the massive reductions in poverty, the increases in lower-income educational opportunities nor the other benefits of the Great Society, including the Voting Rights Act.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Johnson had issues, but the War does not override the massive reductions in poverty, the increases in lower-income educational opportunities nor the other benefits of the Great Society, including the Voting Rights Act.

Finally someone who makes sense! Thank you.