Republican Party presidential primaries, 1964

Republican Party presidential primaries, 1964 were the selection process by which the Republican Party chose its nominee for President of the United States in the 1964 United States presidential election. The primaries were marked by a struggle between the Moderate Republican faction, led by Nelson Rockefeller, and the Conservative coalition, led by Barry Goldwater. The campaign was also notable for the involvement of other prominent Republicans, including William Scranton, Henry Cabot Lodge Jr., and Richard Nixon. The primaries ultimately led to the nomination of Barry Goldwater at the 1964 Republican National Convention.

Background

The 1964 United States presidential election was a significant event in American politics, with the Democratic Party seeking to retain the presidency after the assassination of John F. Kennedy. The Republican Party was looking to regain the White House, and the primaries were a crucial step in that process. The party was divided between the Moderate Republican faction, which included politicians like Nelson Rockefeller, William Scranton, and George Romney, and the Conservative coalition, which was led by Barry Goldwater and included supporters like Ronald Reagan and Phyllis Schlafly. The primaries were also influenced by the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which was signed into law by Lyndon B. Johnson during the campaign, and the Great Society programs, which were a key part of the Democratic Party's platform.

Candidates

The candidates in the Republican Party primaries included Barry Goldwater, Nelson Rockefeller, William Scranton, Henry Cabot Lodge Jr., and Richard Nixon. Barry Goldwater was a U.S. Senator from Arizona and a leader of the Conservative coalition. Nelson Rockefeller was the Governor of New York and a prominent Moderate Republican. William Scranton was the Governor of Pennsylvania and a Moderate Republican who entered the race late. Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. was a former United States Ambassador to the United Nations and a Moderate Republican who won the New Hampshire primary. Richard Nixon was a former Vice President of the United States who declined to run but supported Barry Goldwater.

Primary Results

The primary results were significant, with Barry Goldwater winning several key states, including California, Texas, and Illinois. Nelson Rockefeller won several states in the Northeastern United States, including New York and Massachusetts. William Scranton won several states in the Mid-Atlantic region, including Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. won the New Hampshire primary but failed to gain momentum. The primary results ultimately led to the nomination of Barry Goldwater at the 1964 Republican National Convention in San Francisco, California.

Convention

The 1964 Republican National Convention was held in San Francisco, California, from July 13 to July 16, 1964. The convention was marked by a struggle between the Moderate Republican faction and the Conservative coalition. Barry Goldwater ultimately won the nomination on the first ballot, with William Miller as his running mate. The convention was also notable for the speech by Ronald Reagan, who supported Barry Goldwater and criticized the Great Society programs of the Democratic Party. The convention was attended by several prominent Republicans, including Richard Nixon, Nelson Rockefeller, and George Romney.

Aftermath

The aftermath of the primaries and the convention was significant, with Barry Goldwater going on to lose the 1964 United States presidential election to Lyndon B. Johnson in a landslide. The election was marked by a significant shift in the Electoral College map, with the Democratic Party winning several states in the South and the Republican Party winning several states in the West. The election also marked a significant shift in the Republican Party's platform, with the party adopting a more conservative stance on issues like taxation and foreign policy. The election was also notable for the involvement of several prominent politicians, including Hubert Humphrey, Robert F. Kennedy, and George Wallace. Category:United States presidential elections