Ronald Reagan’s A Time For Choosing Speech

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Millions of viewers tuned into the National Broadcasting Company television network for a special broadcast on the 27th of October. Viewers were anticipating Ronald Reagan’s “A Time for Choosing” speech. Reagan was acknowledged for his acting in motion pictures and television episodes since 1937, and was now being seen in an unfamiliar role. Reagan emerged in support of the Republican nominee Barry Goldwater. Barry Morris Goldwater was a businessman and five-term United States Senator from Arizona and the Republican Party's nominee for president in the 1964 election. “A Time for Choosing” was effective, because he gave personal examples to capture the audiences’ attention, and gave humor to a tough subject. The United States presidential election of 1964 was the 45th quadrennial presidential election. It was held on Tuesday, November 3, 1964. Democratic candidate and incumbent President Lyndon B. Johnson had come to office less than a year earlier following the assassination of his predecessor, John F. Kennedy. The Republican candidate Senator Barry Goldwater of Arizona suffered from a lack of support. Johnson's campaign advocated social programs and further federal efforts to curb racial segregation, collectively known as the Great Society, and successfully portrayed Goldwater as being a dangerous extremist. Johnson easily won the Presidency, carrying 44 of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. In the beginning of his speech, he uses a unique style to communicate his speech. He immediately starts off with a clear and precise tone, however his assortment of words indicates a consciousness of concern. Reagan’s tone in this speech is serious and influential. He wants the audience to understand his viewpoints and how he fee... ... middle of paper ... ...mmon sense manner, he makes it seem as if he is the obvious choice. Although Lyndon B. Johnson won the election, Ronald Regan’s A Time for Choosing did extremely well for the Goldwater campaign and is an excellent example of argumentative rhetoric. Works Cited ""A Time for Choosing" by Ronald Reagan - YouTube." YouTube. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Oct. 2013. . "American Rhetoric: Ronald Reagan -- A Time for Choosing." American Rhetoric: The Power of Oratory in the United States. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Oct. 2013. . "United States presidential election of 1964 (United States government) -- Encyclopedia Britannica." Encyclopedia Britannica. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Oct. 2013. .

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