A Time for Choosing

Summary

Ronald Reagan hosted the General Electric Theater TV series which ran from 1953 to 1962. During this time Reagan visited GE’s 135 plants across the country and spoke to audiences of GE’s 250,000 employees. Reagan’s speech focused on the growing power of federal, state, and local governments and the dangers this posed to free market competition and to American liberty. Over the years Reagan continually refined and improved what came to be known as “The Speech”.

Reagan was asked to record a version of his speech to be used to support the presidential campaign of Barry Goldwater during the 1964 presidential campaign. The speech, entitled “A Time for Choosing”, was presented to a national television audience on October 27, 1964, as part of a program titled Rendezvous with Destiny.

David Broder of the Washington Post said the speech was "the most successful national political debut since William Jennings Bryan electrified the 1896 Democratic Convention with his 'Cross of Gold' speech." Following the speech, Reagan was elected Governor of California in 1966. This speech launched Reagan’s career on the national stage and contributed to his reputation as “the Great Communicator”.

Audio recording courtesy of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.