4/3/2008 10:30:00 PM McCain revives Goldwater symbolism on courthouse steps
Courtesy/Sharlot Hall Museum
Barry Goldwater announces his bid for the U.S. presidency while standing on the Yavapai County courthouse steps on Sept. 3, 1964.
It was a big day for little Prescott when Sen. Barry Goldwater walked up the steps of the Yavapai County courthouse to launch his campaign for U.S. president as the Republican nominee.
And it is a good move for Sen. John McCain to speak at the same site at 10 a.m. Saturday as he launches his own presidential campaign, agreed Elisabeth Ruffner, an old friend of the Goldwaters, and Jack August, executive director of the Barry Goldwater Center for the Southwest.
"He'll be treading the path of another great man," said Ruffner, whose late husband Budge was the master of ceremonies at Goldwater's presidential bid announcement on Sept. 3, 1964.
"It was wall-to-wall people as far as the eye could see," Ruffner recalled of that Goldwater event.
Goldwater was a symbol of the rise of the New West, yet he combined that with the imagery of the Old West in Arizona's territorial capital for his presidential announcement, August observed.
"He was wise and sensitive, and I think that's the real mark of a good man," Ruffner said.
Many other Republicans have announced their candidacy on the same steps since Goldwater, who founded the country's modern conservative movement.
Barry Morris Goldwater loved Prescott and the childhood memories it held for him. He spent his summers here while growing up.
Barry's Uncle Morris had the strongest connection to Prescott. After helping with family stores along the Colorado River and in Phoenix, he and his brothers Henry and Baron (Barry's father) opened a Goldwater mercantile store in Prescott in 1876.
Morris served as Prescott's mayor for a combined 20 years. He also held many other political titles, including vice president of the Arizona Constitutional Convention, president of the state Senate, state senator, territorial legislator, county supervisor and city council member. History credits him with organizing the Arizona Democratic Party and creating the Arizona Corporation Commission.
Morris lived in what is now the Hampton Funeral Home. His brother Henry lived in a home on Union Street's "Nob Hill" that now is marked with an historical sign.
Morris married his longtime landlady in 1906 but they had no children. He died in Prescott in 1939 and is buried at the Masonic Cemetery here.
Barry said Uncle Morris' example of public service had a major influence on him.
Barry served on the Phoenix City Council before winning a U.S. Senate seat in 1952 in a huge victory over veteran Democrat Ernest McFarland. That was the first year he announced his candidacy on the courthouse steps in Prescott.
"Prescott has always been lucky for me," he told a columnist shortly before beating the Eastern establishment for the Republican presidential nomination.
The town really went all out for Goldwater's 1964 announcement, organizing a parade featuring movie stars Randolph Scott and Tex Ritter, another famous person with local roots.
The city fathers proclaimed it "Welcome Home Barry Day."
Stores closed so employees could attend. The Sam Steiger for Congress committee put on a buffet at the Hassayampa Inn. Steiger was a state senator at the time. Yavapai-Prescott Chieftess Viola Jimulla invited American Indian leaders from all over the state.
"What could be more fitting than to stand here to send forth our message - a message for all who would be free and unafraid, a message for all who would face the future with hope and faith," Goldwater told the crowd gathered below him. "This is truly the home of the free and of the brave."
It was fitting that it also was Prescott's centennial year. Goldwater had been in Prescott toward the start of the year to dedicate the new city hall, and again on July 3 to lead the Prescott Frontier Days Parade.
"Prescott has become a time-honored tradition in terms of symbolism and the rise of the Goldwater movement," said August, himself a Prescott resident. "For McCain to tip his hat to what Goldwater did, I think it's a very wise move."
Ruffner agreed.
"Yavapai County has always been the strongest Republican county in the state, and it's an extremely important gesture to make," Ruffner said.
Contact the reporter at jdodder@prescottaz.com
Reader Comments
Posted: Saturday, April 05, 2008
Article comment by:
W. Lee Radu
VERNON, I'm absolutely convinced and the undisputable evidence is so copious, that YOU or CORY could actually become President of the United States and due to your inexperience, NOT be anywhere near as damaging as George W. Bush has been, or John McCain with his total lack of vision would be.
Millions of frustrated Americans would vote for YOU, assured YOU couldn't harm the Nation any more than these Clowns.
Just don't mention you're a Republican if you actually want to get elected.
Posted: Saturday, April 05, 2008
Article comment by:
Tom Steele
How do you say; "pander"?
However, as an alternative to a socialist in the White House, I will hold my nose and vote for Senator John Mc Cain.
Posted: Friday, April 04, 2008
Article comment by:
vernon dozier
Mcain or Obama
Mcain or Hillary.....
We have no choice....Vote Mcain....
Posted: Friday, April 04, 2008
Article comment by:
Christopher
Republicans had the opportunity to have McCain as president, instead they went with the cheep aroma of wedge issues and Carl Rove politics. McCain had it right in his reference to the "agents of intolerance". He's since pandered to the cultural and religious conservatives. But, you can't miss the irony of following in Barry's footsteps to the courthouse. Goldwater had no use for the religious mix of politics and said so. McCain had the opportunity to free the Party from the fringe and the tyranny of the religious minority and lost his credibility in embracing them. The internal contradiction between the true and fiscal conservatives and the cultural and religious conservatives is significant and vast. The irony is that the ugly and divisive politics of Carl Rove and George Bush has been turned inward on the party itself and against McCain (who knows too well). McCain follows Goldwater and another great Arizona Senator goes down to defeat in the General election.
Posted: Friday, April 04, 2008
Article comment by:
Cory
Lee: Would you rather have Obama who has 0 experience or Hillary who will have Bill running the country. We NEED someone who has experience in this time of war and McCain has that. Obama or Hillary would be a disaster and it would take the rest of our lifetimes to recover from their potential mistakes.
Posted: Friday, April 04, 2008
Article comment by:
No on McCain
McCain, the RINO, will use any "backdrop" to get elected. He has no use for conservative Republicans, the base of the party. He calls them names, but wants to reward illegal immigrants with amnesty. He wants to keep fighting in Iraq with our borders wide open. The man is getting a free pass now - with the Democrats fighting with each other - but wait'll that vicious, vengeful temper starts up. People will see that he's not fit to be Commander In Chief.
Posted: Friday, April 04, 2008
Article comment by:
Jonathan
If you against McCain like a lot of us, go down to the speech tomorrow and show him that you have turned your back on him, wait until he starts to talk and just turn around. If we get enough people maybe he'll wake up and see hes turned his back on Arizona, the Nation and the Republican Parth
Posted: Friday, April 04, 2008
Article comment by:
Vernon Dozier
Lee, lighten up....jeez. It is who we got now, accept it instead of grumble...
Posted: Friday, April 04, 2008
Article comment by:
W. Lee Radu
Barry Goldwater was revered by Americans, Arizonans of all political leanings. He represented the promise of great things for America's future and everyone knew he'd work with anyone to achieve such positive advances.
John McCain has been, and is a shining example of "What's wrong with America". His reputation as a Maverick is nothing more than a media facade that attempts to hide the real man willing, as his history and record proves, to pander to and use anyone to further his personal aspirations.
I don't appreciate this man that even genuine "Conservatives" don't respect coming to my town for a photo op.
No one can point to his 26 years in the Senate and cite a single significant, lasting acomplishment. This is NO "Agent for Change", the only thing this man has changed is his position on everything of consequence.
What's next, is he going to California on his "Straight Talk Express" to stand on Reagan's grave, get his picture taken and beg for Californian's money?
Americans are tired of his rhetoric & blind support of the disasterous failures of George W. Bush. People of all the political parties have already turned their backs on him, and election day will conclude the embarassment.
Welcome to Prescott, no go home!
Posted: Friday, April 04, 2008
Article comment by:
Dude from Dewey
Goldwater was the best of the best ! In this election we do not have a true conservative running. I am proud he is from my home of Arizona. Let me also say McCain is no Goldwater.
