The big difference that bears no resemblance to the past is that we have the internet. The internet has neutered the media and they can no longer control the message. Trump has 14 million subscriber on his social media and can get his message out within seconds. That is why Trump has traction. The media is irrelevant. Goldwater never had the internet nor was he net savvy like Trump.
Was there any plausible conservative opposition to Goldwater? That’s why Cruz is key for the GOPe. He’s simply become a tool to divide the conservative anti-establishment. He’s zealously protected by the Media and GOPe now.
And Goldwater was running against the ghost of JFK as well as LBJ.
And he was stabbed in the back by Romney et al....