Joe Wilson: “Yesterday was the funeral for a great statesman from Arizona, former House Armed Services Chairman Bob Stump. I was…”

“Yesterday was the funeral for a great statesman from Arizona, former House Armed Services Chairman Bob Stump. I was reminded of another late Arizona statesman, Senator Barry Goldwater. In fact, next week marks the 40th anniversary of his significant step in the historic presidential campaign he waged in 1964. On July 4, 1963, the National Draft Goldwater Rally was held at the Washington National Guard Armory. I was honored as a young teenager to come on a bus from South Carolina with some of the founders of the modern Republican Party, Drake Edens, Floyd Spence and Rusty DePass. This failed presidential campaign actually was spectacularly successful in launching a political revolution for limited government and expanded freedom. Especially in the South, Republican conservatism has risen from virtual nonexistence to majority status on the local, State and Federal level. I am grateful for the lasting influence of Barry Goldwater, who inspired victory over communism, achieved by Ronald Reagan, and an emphasis on expanding freedom by reducing taxation, promoted by George W. Bush. In conclusion, God bless our troops.”