U.S. presidential election, 1964

The U.S. presidential election of 1964 occurred in the aftermath of the assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963. Supporters were saddened by the loss of the charismatic president, while opposition candidates were in the awkward situation of running against the policies of a slain president.

Consequences

While losing quite badly in the 1964 election, Goldwater laid the foundation for the conservative revolution to follow. Ronald Reagan's speech on Goldwater's behalf, grassroots organization, and the conservative takeover of the Republican party would all help to bring about the "Reagan Revolution" of the 1980s. Indeed, many of today's leading conservatives first entered politics to work for Goldwater.

Related Topics:
1964 - Conservative - Revolution - Ronald Reagan - Grassroots - Organization - Reagan Revolution - 1980s - Politics

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

On the Democratic side, however, 1964 was the end of an era of Democratic dominance that had begun with FDR's election. President Johnson escalated the Vietnam War, causing him not to run in 1968. The decision to escalate the war caused the party to turn to the far left, and this has caused problems for them ever since. Indeed, since 1964, the Democrats have only won the Presidency in the election following the Watergate Scandal, and when moderate southerner Bill Clinton ran against divided opposition.

Related Topics:
Democratic - FDR - Vietnam War - 1968 - Watergate Scandal - Bill Clinton

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Columnist George Will had this to say about the lasting effects of the 1964 election, "It took 16 years to count the votes, and Goldwater won."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~