Nomination pleases senator

Arizona Sen. Barry Goldwater, who sponsored Judge Sandra O’Connor of his home state , for an appointment as the first woman U.S. Supreme Court Justice, said in El Paso that news of her nomination by President Reagan was “wonderful.” Goldwater flew into Fort Bliss for about a four-hour visit Tuesd&y with no notice to the media and Fort Bliss officials said they were unable to release any details of his visit. GOLDWATER, GRINNING BROADLY when asked about Mrs. O’Connor’s appointment, said “It is just wonderful, I talked to President Reagan about it Monday. I have known her ever since she has been in Phoenix and I told the president he couidn’t find a better person to fill the post.” Goldwater said “I could find a hundred competent woman lawyers but none that could do the job she will do.” The Arizona senator, a long time member of the Senate Armed Forces Committee of which Texas Sen. John Tower, a fellow Republican, is chairman, said of his visit to Fort Bliss, “I am just trying to get reacquainted with the army. I used to be an infantry officer before joining the Air Force and I am now visiting U.S. Army bases to reacquaint myself with their missions.” GOLDWATER IS A RETIRED U.S. Air Force Reserve general. Fort Bliss Public Affairs Officer Lt. Col. Edward McDonald told the Herald-Post Goldwater was on the base but said he could not give any more details. The Senator arrived and left in one of the Military Airlift Command airplanes that is based at Andrews Air Force Base in Washington,