Thursday, June 4, 1998 | 10:56 a.m.
THERE IS LITTLE to add to the life and times of the senior senator from Arizona, Barry Goldwater.
He died last week at the age of 89. And like the incomparable talent who preceded him just slightly in death, Frank Sinatra, the man who led the conservative revolution in America did it his way. That way was always calling them as he saw them and never mincing words when speaking plainly would do the trick.
Unlike many today who call themselves conservatives but espouse ideas that attempt to undermine the foundations of constitutional life in this country, Goldwater remained consistent. There are those who say he went soft during the last decade or so of his life -- a necessity for rationalizing a "new conservative" swing away from Goldwater's principled stands -- but anyone who knew him and followed his career knows that just wasn't so. Barry Goldwater died as he had lived -- quiet, caring and full of principle.
I remember just after the 1996 presidential election, there were some people in this country who -- shocked again by an electorate that proved it was, once again, smarter than the pundits -- couldn't wait to include the first lady in their unrelenting attacks on President Clinton. It was natural to expect members of the president's party to come to the defense of him and Hillary Clinton. It was even expected that many of his supporters and friends would weigh in against the constant reviling of America's first family.
What wouldn't have been expected, though, is exactly what did happen. America's No. 1 patriot did what patriots are supposed to do during times of turmoil. He stood up to be counted. But he did it in a way that left any public notice of his action completely up to Clinton -- by sending a letter to the president.
I thought of those events of 1996 as Clinton spoke last week of Goldwater's life and how kind Goldwater had been to the Clintons during some difficult times. Goldwater had sent me a copy of the letter he sent to the president, so I pulled it out this week and read it again.
It contained the words of a man of principle, a man of compassion and a man of common sense. And in it is a lesson in civics that most Americans seemed to have either missed or misplaced in recent years.
Barry Goldwater is gone, but his words remain as a beacon for the conservative movement. In fact, people of all political persuasions would do well to pay heed. His letter from Nov. 11, 1996, follows:
"Dear Mr. President,
"I would like to thank you again for your visit and that of your lovely wife last month during my recovery.
"You know that I have been a lifelong conservative and Republican who has advanced the belief in smaller government and greater personal freedom. I am as committed to those ideals as ever. What I am not committed to is the constant, unrelenting attacks on the presidency at the expense of the difficult work that must be done.
"I believe it is imperative that my fellow Republicans put their tactics of personal attacks against you and the first lady aside so that they can concentrate on finding solutions to the significant challenges of our time like Medicare reform and balancing the budget. Cooperating with the White House not sniping at it is the only way to produce results for the American people as we approach the beginning of a new century. I would expect that you could persuade the Democrats to be equally cooperative in seeking bipartisan solutions.
"Our country needs our leaders' best thinking and not their worst thoughts. To achieve progress toward a better America we must remove the pettiness from our political rhetoric. In the end, if our leaders do their jobs right, the voters will reward them at the next election.
"That's the American way. That's the right way. That's the only way we can secure the blessings of this wonderful country for our children.
"I know you share my concerns. If you think my thoughts can help advance the cause of cooperation and civility in this country, please feel free to use them as you see fit.
"Respectfully,
"Barry Goldwater"
That's Mr. Conservative talking. That's a patriot at work. We would all do well to pay attention to his words and ignore the words of those whose motives don't measure up.
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