alternatehistory.com

In Suite 3505 of the Chanin Building in New York City, the brain trust of the conservative movement gathered. At the meeting were Congressman John Ashbrook (R) of Ohio, F. Clifton White, Senator Barry Goldwater (R) of Arizona's speechwriter, John Grenier, the former Alabama Republican Party chairman and the committee's southern regional coordinator, was responsible for the Republican organization in the South, Peter O'Donnell, the new Texas Republican Party chairman, U.S. Congressman Bruce Alger, Bruce McCabe, the Research Director who lead a team of economists and political scientists to formulate policy positions and speeches. McCabe worked under longtime Goldwater adviser Denison Kitchel, who officially worked as the campaign manager of Goldwater's Senate re-election and had joined the group. Finally, they were joined by William F. Buckley, editor of the National Review and James J. Kilpatrick, editor of the Richmond News Leader and a well known segregationist.
View attachment 372023

Ashbrook began the meeting by saying, "Damned Pan Am and damned all the luck. What a time for Tower to go get himself killed," he said hitting his fist into his palm.

O'Donnell spoke back saying, "You think that's bad. Now we have Lyndon, Junior appointing the successor and you just know he will run for the seat himself."

Alger feeding off the nervous energy in the room said, "I'll run, let me run. I'll pulverize him like a cow paddy."

O'Donnell shot a pained look at Alger and replied, "Really Bruce, you think you can do that? Hell we already will be spending over our limit just to keep you in a House seat, if it's worth the effort."

Buckley, who was on the phone, leaned over and replied drolly, "Gentleman what's done is done. One of Trippe's planes has tripped us up. What we should do is make sure that the Man (Goldwater) stops flying himself everywhere on his own. We need to find an acceptable candidate but we can sacrifice Carthage to protect Rome."

Grenier looked at Buckley dumbfounded and said, "Is that what you Yankee boys plan to do is walk through the South again to win your war, while leaving disaster and mayhem in your wake?"

Buckley cheekily replied, "All the way to Georgia if that's what it takes!"

Before any of the southerners could reply, White interjected, and said, "This Ivy Leaguer has made one hell of a point. The future for our group lies in the West, gentlemen, not in the shattered remains of Dixie and not back east."

O'Donnell said, "I highly doubt that. I challenge you to chart a path to the White House without the South!"

Buckley who was chatting to someone else on the phone said, "I'll accept your challenge. Pistols at dawn or shall we have scabbards on the poop deck?"

Ashbrook said, "No matter what the path, it will run through Ohio. Gentlemen we need to get Barry ready to run against this Massachusetts clam digger and son of a rum runner!"

Buckley chuckled and said, "But enough about the Cabots and Lodges." Buckley obviously knew he meant Kennedy but the dig at the Commonwealth's Governor and former U.S. Senator and scion of one of Massachusetts long serving families was meant to be be a playful jibe.