Isn't Goldwater pro-choice and very socially liberal in general? So I'd imagine that this would hurt him... But he should still eke it out because Wulfric and I split the conservatve vote. And yeah, I'd skip New Hampshire and ignore the state.
Yeah, would definitely be issue, although if I emphasise my opposition to late-term abortions it might soften the blow a bit. As for "very socially liberal in general", I suppose that would depend on what exactly you consider "social" issues. For example, I consider myself mostly supportive of gun rights, and my views on foreign policy and death penalty might help with the hawkish and "tough on crime" types. Or maybe I just end up failing spectacularly by alienating both moderates and social conservatives.