A Time For Choosing [aka 'The Speech', a Reagan Classic]

Townhall.com ^ | 1964 | Ronald Reagan

[NittanyLion]

I thought today was an appropriate time to post one of the great contemporary political speeches. Happy Birthday President Reagan...

[tet68]

Happy Birthday Mr. President!
Nancy, May God bless and keep you both, please
know that there will always be a special place
in our hearts for you.

[Huck]

Not a Reagan classic--THE Reagan classic. There were other good speeches, but this is the quintessential. I sent it out to family to mark his birthday. None of them is a fan. Probably none has read the speech before. I hope they read it now.

[NittanyLion]

If someone asked me to explain conservatism in 10 minutes or less, I think I'd just give them a copy of this speech. I agree that it's THE Reagan speech.

Most politicians would be happy to deliver one speech half this good in their lifetime. Reagan delivered no less than four: this one, the 1980 Inaugural, the Address to the Nation following the Challenger Disaster, and his Speech at the Berlin Wall.

It's an amazing thing to consider.

[trebb]

God Bless President Ronald (The Gipper) Reagan.

This speech should be played on all the news channels for the next year and taught in our schools.

[Huck]

Don't forget his farewell address.

[NittanyLion]

Yep - another great one.

[LiteKeeper]

read later

[reagandemocrat]

Happy Birthday, indeed.

RD

[Professional Engineer]

BUMP

[Publius]

I was leafletting for the Goldwater campaign in high school back in New Jersey when Reagan made that speech. It was the one moment I thought that Goldwater would win. It's frightening to think that was 40 years ago.

Dammit, man, you're making me cry.

[King Black Robe]

Where is there another like him?

I've found myself arguing for the gov't to take my money for marriage initiatives so that the gov't will take less of my money to fix the problems associated with broken families. The sad thing is, that's about the only way I can see we have a chance at turning the ship around. People need to begin again with the basics, remembering that freedom means they must take care of themselves.

When did the American people stop believing in personal responsiblity. When did freedom start excluding the freedom to fail?

[NittanyLion]

Well, I was just a kid during the Reagan Administration, and everytime I read this speech it gives me chills. They say a great speech transcends time; the ideas expressed here are every bit as relevant today as they were 40 years ago.

[Conspiracy Guy]

I wrote this little tribute to a Great Man who influenced me all my life. I was too busy to post it around. Sorry it's late. Hope you like it.

Happy Birthday

I liked you in the movies,
All made so long ago.
On TV in my youthful years,
You'd host that western show.
Later on I'd catch your talks,
On late night radio.
Your great talks on the U S A,
Helped keep me in the know.
Then when you ran for President,
I was the first in line.
I cast my vote and felt so good,
My vote I knew was fine.
You led us through some tough times,
With such class through it all.
You stood and faced the Soviets,
That caused the wall to fall.
So Happy Birthday to you Ron,
You're still high on my chart.
I pray for you and Nancy too,
You both have won my heart.

Conspiracy Guy 2/6/04

[untenured]

Bump.

[risk]

You and I know and do not believe that life is so dear and peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery. --Reagan's pro-Goldwater "You and I have a rendezvous with destiny." speech of 1964.

Read it here!

[jdege]

I recently found an old Goldwater lapel pin in my grandmother's stuff:

AuH20+1964

I plan on wearing it to the MNGOP convention, next weekend.

[Bob J]

Don't allow the media to spin Reagans death as they did his life. Go to the FR Reagan Vigils post and pledge to organize or attend a vigil in your area.

[Petronski]

This speech was just cited by Newt Gingrich as pivotal in his young life.

[Mulder]

Thanks for the ping. CSPAN just got finished playing his speech. Undoubtedly one of the greatest in American History.