'This Man Scares Me': TV Ad From 1964 Presidential Campaign Is Going Viral — One Look and You'll Understand Why

Though it may be fair to say the 2016 race for the White House is unprecedented in recent memory, tough elections and epic primary battles are not unheard of. In fact, from fears over "party unity" to issues with the Ku Klux Klan, one 1964 ad for incumbent President Lyndon Johnson (D) offers a message some believe to be shockingly relevant in today's presidential cycle.

The ad, titled "Confessions of a Republican," features an actor describing himself as a Republican explaining why he could not support the GOP presidential nominee, businessman and Arizona Sen. Barry Goldwater.

Image: YouTube/The LBJ Library

The man in the ad delivered a refrain very similar to many Republicans today who have issued warnings about nominating Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump, a successful businessman in his own right.

The video starts with the man saying he does not "feel guilty" for being a Republican, adding that he voted for both Dwight Eisenhower and Richard Nixon.

"But when it comes to Sen. Goldwater," he said. "Now it seems to me we're up against a very different kind of a man. This man scares me"

Trying to reason his fears, he continued, "Maybe I'm wrong. A friend of mine just said to me, 'Just because a man sounds a little irresponsible during a campaign doesn't mean he's going to act irresponsibly.'"

However, that logic doesn't seem to calm his discomfort with the idea of a President Goldwater. The man goes on to say that, if he had been a delegate in the GOP convention, he would have "fought" against Goldwater's nomination.

"And I wouldn't have worried so much about party unity," he said. "Because if you unite behind a man you don't believe in, it's a lie."

"I mean, when the head of the Ku Klux Klan, when all these weird groups come out in favor of the candidate of my party, either they're not Republicans or I'm not," he continued. "I've thought about not voting in this election, just staying home. But you can't do that because that's saying you don't care who wins, and I do care."

In conclusion, he argues that the GOP made a "bad decision" in nominating Goldwater, adding that he will vote against that decision — and purportedly support Johnson — in the general election.

Watch the uncanny ad:

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