Goldwater Hits Lindsay

June 1, 1965 - Former Senator Barry Goldwater entered a dissent today as other Republicans cheered Congressman the decision of John Lindsay (pictured today in Harlem) to run a nonpartisan campaign for Mayor of New York.

Goldwater said at a news conference, “I would think a man who’s registered as a Republican should be proud to run as a Republican if it’s a partisan election.”This view was challenged by former Vice President Richard Nixon, Gov. George Romney of Michigan, Gov. William Scranton of Pennsylvania, and Thomas Dewey.

They said Lindsay’s decision to run “as Lindsay,” on a ticket with at least one Democrat, was the surest way to improve the quality of city government and strengthen the Republican party.

Lindsay’s candidacy was the chief topic of conversation among participants in today’s meeting of the Republican Coordinating Committee, a party advisory group.

Former President Eisenhower, past Presidential nominees, Republican governors, and other leaders spent the full day discussing policy statement on Vietnam, civil rights, and other topics behind closed doors. 

Nixon opened the Lindsay discussion by telling reporters he believed Lindsay “could pull the biggest political upset in 50 years” if he could capitalize on “the widespread feeling that New York needs new leadership.”

The former Vice President, a resident of Manhattan, pledged Lindsay his vote and support but said he would be “not at all offended” if the Congressman did not ask for his campaign help.

“John Lindsay should run as an independent,” Nixon said. “For him to be identified on a partisan Republican basis would not be helpful. Where the registration is 3-to-1 against you, you don’t throw in their faces the fact that you are a Republican.”

But when Goldwater faced reporters, he said Lindsay was not really offering nonpartisan government to New York. “What he’s saying is that in name he’s a Republican, but he doesn’t want to be known as one,” Goldwater said.

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