Barry Goldwater's Weaknesses

Barry Goldwater is an accomplished Air Force Veteran. Having earned the title of Major General puts him in a favorable position in regards to national security issues which, due to the Cold War, are tantamount to American interests. The poll results indicate that 67% of respondents view Russia as a stronger military force than the United States. Another 67% of respondents are in favor of increasing national defense spending, even if it means cutting other programs (13% are in favor of increasing national defense spending without cutting other programs). Further, many respondents are hesitant towards the SALT II treaty because it “…will give Russia military superiority and seriously endanger American security”. Clearly, military competition

Goldwater’s health condition could be the Achilles heel of his campaign, as 40% of total respondents voice some sort of concern. 21% of respondents agree strongly and 19% agree somewhat that Goldwater is getting too old and sick to be an effective United States Senator. Another 55% of respondents believe that his attendance record is well below average. An additional weakness for Goldwater is his reputation among young voters. Respondents aged 17 – 29 had issues with his political ideology more so than any other age group. Goldwater also his issues with his reputation in urban v. rural areas. While he tends to have strong support in rural Arizona, Goldwater does not poll as well in Maricopa (Phoenix) or Pima (Tucson) counties – which are both vital to his prospects for

56% of poll respondents indicated that they had never heard of him. Out of the respondents who were presented with Schulz’s name first, 30% had either neutral or no opinions toward him. Thus, it seems like non-attitudes pose another major issue for Schulz. Unlike Goldwater, Schulz does not poll well with Arizonans aged 65+ and retirees. Nearly a quarter of poll respondents are over the age of 65 and another one-third are retired, which speaks to the importance of this demographic. One reason that older Arizonans are less impressed with Schulz is because he is not a native of the state (Schulz only moved to Arizona upon graduation from West Point). His relative “newness” is a negative in a state full of so many lifelong residents - 44% of poll respondents have lived in Arizona for more than 20 years. Another weak point for Schulz is his support among farmers. 22% of farmer respondents indicated that they agree strongly with the sentiment that Schulz is not Arizona’s