Barry Goldwater, (1909-1998) was a five-term US Senator, the Republican Party nominee for President in 1964, he was a Maj. Gen. in the US Air Force Reserves, and he authored the book "The Conscience of a Conservative."
50 years ago he was fed up with the John Birchers and their ever tightening grip on the Republican Party. He called them the "Religious Right." At the time, they were known as the "Moral Majority."
Surprisingly, the straw that broke the camel's back in Barry's case, was the debate about women's bodily autonomy and her right of access to abortion.
"If this is going to take a fight, they're gonna find ole Goldie fighting like hell!"
"Today's "conservatives" doesn't even know what the word means. They think I've turned liberal because I believe a woman has the right to an abortion. I believe a woman has the right to an abortion. That's a decision up to the pregnant woman, not the Pope, or some do-gooders or the Religious Right. It's not a conservative issue at all."
When asked about his opinions regarding the appointment of Sandra Day O'Conner and the Jerry Falwell statement that "good Christians should be against her appointment," Barry's response was:
"I said all good Christians... you should kick them in the ass!"
"When it comes to the place that these groups trying to take away the power of the American citizen, then I have to take exception to it."
Watch Barry say this in style here
(starting at 3:32 into the video) Youtube
Barry really showed his foresight with this final quote:
"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. Frankly, these people frighten me. Politics and governing demand compromise. But these Christians believe they are acting in the name of God, so they can't and won't compromise. I know, I've tried to deal with them. The religious factions that are growing throughout our land are NOT using their religious clout with WISDOM. I'm frankly sick and tired of the political preachers across this country telling me as a citizen that if I want to be a moral person, I must believe in 'A,' 'B,' 'C,' and 'D.' Just who do they think they are?... I will fight them every step of the way if they try to dictate their moral convictions to all Americans in the name of "conservatism."
In my opinion, the Tea Party has hijacked the Republican party.
The GOP just doesn't have members of quality like Ike or Goldwater anymore.
It's a damn shame.