A Choice Not an Echo
A Choice Not an Echo is a non-fiction book self-published in 1964 by movement conservative activist Phyllis Schlafly. It was the first of Schlafly's 19 authored texts, and sold 3 million copies,[1][2] granting her national attention as a conservative activist. Schlafly mainly published this book in support of Arizona Senator Barry Goldwater, hoping to help him triumph in the California primary, thus granting him the ability to be nominated for president. Schlafly's secondary motivation behind the publishing of A Choice Not an Echo was to break control of the "Eastern Establishment" over the Republican Party. In other words, this book served as an exposition of the covert influence that "kingmakers" had on Republican primary nominations.
Inspiration for A Choice Not an Echo[edit]
Prior to 1963, Phyllis Schlafly had prepared a whole series of Republican speeches that she hoped to deliver. However, after the assassination of John F. Kennedy, she deemed it inappropriate to give anti-Democratic speeches after his death. Therefore, Schlafly altered course and wrote a speech called "How Political Conventions Are Stolen" (a speech that reflected on the liberal Rockefeller administration and how it outmaneuvered the conservatives) in December 1963 and delivered it all throughout January and February the following year.[3] However, Schlafly hoped to create a permanent impact with her writing and thus tasked herself to convert her speech into a book (A Choice Not an Echo). By setting up her own publisher, the Pere Marquette Press, Schlafly was able to quickly self-publish her book, which she soon distributed in mass quantities.[3] By the following weekend, Schlafly's book had statewide distribution in California and eventually had sold over half a million copies by May to help support Barry Goldwater's campaign.[3]
Historical context[edit]
Throughout the 1940s, 50s, and 60s, Democrats maintained control of the executive office, with the exception of the 1953-1961 Eisenhower presidency. The Republican party had often been split between a conservative wing supported in the Midwest and West, and liberal wing from the Northeast. The conservative wing, which Schlafly was a part of, opposed New Deal reforms and supported isolationist policies. This wing was represented by candidates such as Robert A. Taft in 1948. On the other side, the liberal wing of the Republican party demanded more efficient use of New Deal policies[4] and were led by Thomas E. Dewey, who Schlafly claims was subject to the will of the kingmakers.[5] The liberal wing maintained control of the Republican Presidential nomination until 1964.
In 1964, the conservative wing made a comeback against the liberal wing by nominating Barry Goldwater. Goldwater defeated Nelson Rockefeller and Henry Cabot Lodge Jr., who were on the left side of the GOP. However, Goldwater was defeated by Johnson in the 1964 election.