AHC: Goldwater as a Democratic President

After 1953, when he's already a Republican Senator?

Oookay... Republicans enact Civil Rights, Goldwater pulls a Strom Thurmond.
 
Yeah, even were we to try and use a POD back in the 30's, it would have to be with the Democrat's moving to more Conservative positions, considering Goldwater held Herbert Hoover in high regard even during the Depression.
 
Maybe have Goldwater be a John Tyler analog: He doesn't like the leaders of the Republican Party, so he goes to a Democratic Ticket with someone he either likes, or offers him something (like the offer of becoming President when his term is up).
 
Maybe have Goldwater be a John Tyler analog: He doesn't like the leaders of the Republican Party, so he goes to a Democratic Ticket with someone he either likes, or offers him something (like the offer of becoming President when his term is up).

Only problem with that analogy is that John Tyler had been a Democrat before he had been a Whig and, eventually dissatisfied with both parties, hoped to start his own party (which was never realized given he dropped out of the 1844 race).
 

Only problem with that analogy is that John Tyler had been a Democrat before he had been a Whig and, eventually dissatisfied with both parties, hoped to start his own party (which was never realized given he dropped out of the 1844 race).

...Libertarian Party after a disastrous Term?
 
I meant Goldwater forms an early Libertarian Party.

No I can't see that. He'd have too much to lose by going Independent from one of the two major parties, and he was a lifelong Republican anyway. You would need to change the Party, not the man.
 
Have some crazy switcheroo happen where the liberals take control of the GOP and the Southern Democrats force the Democrats to the right.
 
Goldwater hits his head in 1954 and it alters his state of mind and he becomes a hardcore liberal.

Pretty much ASB otherwise.
 
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