Steve Scalise And Reagan’s “A Time For Choosing” Speech

The famous 1964 “A Time For Choosing” speech by Ronald Reagan in support of Barry Goldwater’s ill-fated presidential run which launched Reagan’s political career first aired on TV 50 years ago tonight.

And House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-Jefferson) marked the occasion with an interesting letter to his colleagues on Capitol Hill. From a press release this afternoon…

Today, on the 50th anniversary of Ronald Reagan’s famous “A Time for Choosing” speech, House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) shared with his colleagues copies of this historic speech and a letter describing the inspiration he gathers from it.

The following letter was sent to his 233 House Republican colleagues as a token of inspiration as we enter into the final days before the mid-term elections.

Dear Colleague,

Ronald Reagan’s “A Time for Choosing” address, which aired on Oct. 27, 1964, launched the Great Communicator on a path that ultimately resulted in America addressing him as President Reagan. With the 50th anniversary of this historic speech just around the corner, I am reminded of the significance of Reagan’s words and how they have stood the test of time and are still just as relevant to our country today.

Often referred to as “The Speech,” historians agree it was a seminal moment in Reagan’s meteoric rise to power. The issues he discussed with such eloquence – shackling deficits and debt, ever-expanding federal government, the failed war on poverty, an anticompetitive tax code, and a questionable commitment to the time-tested principle of “peace through strength” – are every bit as relevant today as they were 50 years ago. Like Reagan, we continue to share those same beliefs in the greatness of America and the shared values that make us the beacon of democracy that looks toward the shining city on a hill.

As we spend this October work period in our districts speaking with constituents and listening to their concerns, which we will bring back to Washington with us in just a few weeks, I wanted to share with you a copy of Reagan’s historic “A Time for Choosing” speech.

We must continue to fight for an America that fulfills the promise of equal opportunity for this and future generations to come. I thank you for your friendship and commitment to solve our nation’s problems, and look forward to seeing you in the coming weeks.

Sincerely,

Steve Scalise

Because it’s worth repeating over and over again, here’s the speech…

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