American politician (1909-1998). Goldwater was a conservative icon for decades until the religious right started to take over the Republican Party in the 1980s. Soon, his opinions on various topics were so far to the left of the "New Right" that many believed that he was becoming more liberal, when he hadn't actually changed his views at all. In fact, at one point, there was a movement to have his name taken off the Arizona Republican Party headquarters.

Here are some of my favorite quotes from Goldwater:

Of course, there are his famous remarks during his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention in 1964: "I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue!"

Goldwater on homosexuality: "There has always been homosexuality, ever since man and woman were invented. I guess there were gay apes. So that's not an issue. The Republican Party should stand for freedom and only freedom. Don't raise hell about the gays, the Blacks and the Mexicans. Free people have a right to do as they damn well please." --"The Advocate", 1993.

Goldwater on modern conservatives and abortion: "A lot of so-called conservatives today don't know what the word means. They think I've turned liberal because I believe a woman has a right to an abortion. That's a decision that's up to a pregnant woman, not up to the pope or some do-gooders or the religious right." --The Los Angeles Times, 1994.

Goldwater on Jerry Falwell: "I think every good Christian ought to kick Falwell right in the ass." --after Falwell said all good Christians should be concerned about the Supreme Court nomination of Sandra Day O'Connor in 1981.

Goldwater on traditional conservatism: "The positive role of limited government has always been the defense of these fundamental principles. The conservative movement is founded on the simple tenet that people have the right to live life as they please, as long as they don't hurt anyone else in the process." --The Arizona Republic, 1994.

Goldwater on the far right: "...the radical right has nearly ruined our party. Its members do not care about the Constitution and they are the ones making all the noise." --The Arizona Republic, 1994.

Goldwater on Ronald Reagan: "I believe Reagan did know of the diversion of Iranian funds to the Contras. He had to know. The White House explanation makes him out to be either a liar or incompetent."

Goldwater on allegations that Dan Quayle "shacked up with some girl" in Florida: "Well, if they're gonna apply that as a criterion, there'd be no politicians left."

On the arms race: "I would like to see us do away with all nuclear weapons. I just want to make sure they're all gone."

On Senate Democratic Leader Robert Byrd: "One day I saw Bob Byrd on the Senate floor and didn't recognize him. His face was covered with pancake makeup that ran down his starched collar. His hair was stylishly fluffed. He looked like he was about to step on stage in some nightclub act. I took one look, walked back to my seat, sat down and waited for him to pull out his fiddle."

On former President Richard Nixon: "Nixon was the most dishonest individual I have ever met in my life. He lied to his wife, his family, his friends, his colleagues in the Congress, lifetime members of his own political party, the American people and the world."

On Bill Moyers, who helped coin the anti-Goldwater slogan "In your guts you know he's nuts" for Lyndon Johnson: "Every time I see him, I get sick to my stomach and want to throw up."