He was a member of the NAACP. I don't think he was any more racist than any other republican of the time. It's easy for me and you to pass judgment on those who were born more than a century ago. And before you say it, yes he voted against the 1964 civil rights act which I disagree with him for. He claims he had his reasons, that 2 parts of it were unconstitutional but I'm unconvinced. He also supported gay people serving in the military and was against don't ask don't tell. Towards the later years of his life he became somewhat progressive. He also fought hard against the rise of the Christian right. I respect some of what he fought for while disagreeing with some of his views. In any case, I think leftists like me have more in common with Goldwater than Goldwater has with MAGA cunts. We may disagree with each other but we at least agree on fundamental principles like the seperation of church and state.

Edit: I probably admire him more than most because I see Christian nationalism as one of the greatest threats to our country and he fought against it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2jGe560-Y4