Goldwater was always more of an Arizona libertarian. He was very typical of the people who were born and raised here. It was mostly "go away and leave me alone" and "America should be strong so it WILL be left alone" His stance on abortion was because of those libertarian leanings. He might not have approved of it, but figured it was none of his business and for sure wasn't the government's business.
Many claim to be a Reagan conservative. To me, Goldwater defined conservatism. And, Reagan gave the knockout speech in support of Goldwater. I heard it and remember it.