This candid interview with Senator Barry Goldwater was conducted by Sam Merrill for a broadcast on the Direct News radio show. The date of the interview is unknown, but the radio show ran in the late 70’s, during the Carter administration. It wouldn’t be long before Ronald Reagan would comfortably win the 1980 presidential election and Republicans would take back a majority in the Senate.

Many believe that Reagan would never have been elected if not for Goldwater. Not only did Reagan enter the political arena during Goldwater’s 1964 presidential campaign but, more importantly, Goldwater paved the way in the late 50’s and early 60’s for the modern conservative and libertarian movements in the U.S. As such, this chat was very apropos at the time, serving as a platform to explain his views on economics, true liberalism, and the government’s role in people’s lives.

00:00 – What Conservatism is and what it has to offer young people 01:06 – Why people become more conservative as they age (and the exception of Karl Hess) 02:35 – The difference between real liberals and phony liberals 03:35 – The inevitability of poverty and the impossibility of a government changing that 04:07 – The government’s responsibility in the area of health care 06:00 – The “Good Neighbor Policy” 06:50 – Unemployment / earning what you make / wealth in the Conservative vs. Liberal parties 08:52 – Advice for young people entering the political system 10:45 – Thoughts on the government’s role in regulating illicit substances 12:29 – A death penalty solution for addicts (cheap drugs) 13:18 – “Clearing up” a recent comment about Native Americans 14:37 – Not having anything to show for all his hard work 15:17 – Welcoming his son into the political foray 16:04 – Involvement in the Don Bolles murder case / alleged ties to organized crime 17:58 – Thoughts on the New York Times / thoughts on Long Island