A Time for Choosing

Ronald Reagan uses his speech, to pass information to the people, thus making them to understand how different political issues relate to each other. He uses anecdotes to successfully communicate thus developing a personal attachment to contentious issues hence appealing to the people. Reagan uses anecdotes when addressing his audience usually composed of the conservatives, the use of anecdotes is as a means of personalizing the speech, thus making the audience to easily understand his way of delivering speech. In addition, his speech is also composed of references, this is particularly when he was talking about a Cuban refugee who told him, that he was luckier as compared to other Americans, because he had found a place to run to, after being oppressed by the US (Patterson & Morrison, 2016). In this story, Reagan wanted to show how superior the US was, since it could not be compared to any other country. The anecdote was consequently meant to depict the unique freedom which Americans tend to enjoy.

The endorsement and promotion of Barry Goldwater’s and his son campaign was the main reason as to why Reagan made his speech. Through the use of anecdotes, Reagan creates and image of a man who does everything in order to see his son succeeding, a thing which most parents can easily relate to (Patterson & Morrison, 2016). Reagan consequently crowned Goldwater a lot of praises, and at some point, he stated that Goldwater told his son there is no strong foundation which is like the rock, than the foundation centred on fairness and honesty, hence when one builds a foundation on that rock, and cements it with faith in God, then nothing can oppose him. This statement was a very strong, in the sense that it made it hard for either the Republicans or the Democrats to be able to understand how Goldwater was an honest man. Most people on both sides of the political divide would consequently vote for a person with such characteristics.

Reagan continues to use anecdotes as a means of attracting the attention of the audience, thus making them to pay more attention to his speech. When delivering his speech, most people keenly listen to him, knowing very well that he will be speak about the issues concerning their lives. Moreover, Reagan moves the crowd through speaking about the issues of concern in their lives. He moves forward to speak about war, and talks of asking a relative of a soldier who died in Vietnam, and says when such a relative is asked if this is peace which should be maintained, thus provoking the affected people making them to feel left out by the government. Reagan’s statement is consequently intended to attract the attention of the audience, and make them think of a possibility of another war which would be against communism (Patterson & Morrison, 2016). In other words, he is preparing the audience psychologically to show them that the lives of their relatives is more important than communism, hence there should be no war against communism. He moves forward to say that war is not something which can be easily forgotten, as it creates memories particularly to those who lost friends and relatives in the battlefield. People who lost friends and relatives in the battlefield would consequently think twice about war, because they understand the pain which a person goes through after losing a loved one, in the name of fighting for democracy.

Reagan backs up his statements through providing historical information concerning the issues of war, as a means of convincing the audience. In addition, he says that the past is very significant in shaping our future, because it shows us and explains to us about the past events, hence assuring us of a brighter future (Patterson & Morrison, 2016). Reagan moves forward to make a contradictory statement, which seeks to give hope to the audience, through making them to think otherwise. He talks of the future being frightening, then goes back and talks about the past, thus making the audience to develop a sense of peace. While speaking about the issue of a brighter future, and he states that success comes with its sacrifices, which could also mean loss of lives. At this point, he makes another contradictory statement through stating that in as much as people believe that life is very important, and peace remains relevant, slavery and chains should not be a means of purchasing peace. He also uses biblical allusion in order to clearly explain the effects of war, thus using examples such as that of Moses and Pharaoh in Egypt, after the enslavement of the Israelites in Egypt by the Pharaoh. Biblical allusion is used in making the audience to understand how sacrifices are usually made, and why life is more important than sacrifices. Furthermore, through biblical allusion, he shows that those who died in the war, did not die just like that, but they are the reasons as to why there is peace in the US, in other words, this statement meant that those who died in the battlefield were the sacrifices of success, which does not come easily.

‘A Time for Choosing’ was a very strong speech which moved a lot of people, and it made a way for Reagan in politics. As it was with Obama during his 2004 speech during the Democratic National Convention, this speech was meant to not only campaign for Goldwater and his son, but to also appeal to the Americans, that he too could become a great leader (Patterson & Morrison, 2016). The Americans saw the type of leadership which was in him through the speech, making him to stand out before most people. Moreover, the speech also pointed out his character, as a person who is persuasive and hopeful, and a person who thinks about the future of the country. This was a move which made it easier for Reagan to appeal to the Americans, that he was not only qualified to be a leader, but he also understood what the Americans went through in their lives, and he would only support people who care about them, such as Goldwater.

This speech was not however taken positively by other politicians, due to the impact which it had to the community. Richard Nixon, had lost the presidential nominees in 1960’s but owed Reagan respect, and he also knew how good Reagan was at campaigning (Patterson & Morrison, 2016). Reagan had earlier on campaigned for Nixon while he was running for a gubernatorial seat. However, Nixon had lost the governorship bid.  Nixon knew and understood how Reagan was gifted, and how great he could become in the American politics. While some saw him as a person who was gifted politically, Nixon also saw him as a competitor. The speech did not only move Nixon, but it also moved a lot of people, since it changed their perception of politics and political leaders. The speech foreshadowed the political future of Reagan, making his political competitors to be on toes. The Americans did not only listen to the speech, but they also felt it, making them to think about Reagan’s political future.

In the year 1968, Reagan was chosen as Republicans presidential nominee, and in his first presidential campaign, Reagan showed the Americans how good their country was (Patterson & Morrison, 2016). The main objective of Reagan was consequently to show Americans that the country was still amazing, and they could still achieve whatever they were looking for in the country. Reagan’s speech was so special, that it gave Goldwater a direct entry to the white house. Americans saw the potential in Goldwater, because Reagan had given them the assurance of how good Goldwater was.

Conclusion

Ronald Reagan’s speech unique and one of a kind, one which prepared him for presidency, and one which paved way for Goldwater to be the president of the US, in the year 1964. Reagan restored the confidence of the Americans, after showing them how success and peace was achieved in battlefield, during the Vietnam War. Moreover, Reagan made it clear that Goldwater was the president America needed, due to his characters and way of ruling. Reagan’s political success was also pointed out during the speech, making most Americans, to see the potential he had. He moved crowds, and mobilized them to vote for Goldwater, thus changing the political course of America, and the perceptions of the Americans regarding politicians.

Reference

In Patterson, E., & In Morrison, J. H. (2016). The Reagan manifesto: "a time for choosing" and its influence.