Brooke Rollins, President of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, sent an uplifting post-election email letter to her organizational supporters today. In it she mentions Goldwater?s 1960 book The Conscience of a Conservative. (I recently reread it and it is remarkably relevant today.)
She also attaches a copy of Ronald Reagan?s ?A Time for Choosing? speech (aka ?The Speech?). This was the half?hour television speech that Reagan gave for the Goldwater campaign in 1964. It electrified conservatives and was the basis for rebuilding the movement after the 1964 defeat. It also launched Reagan?s political career. (I was in high school and I immediately drove down to Western Union and sent Goldwater $10. I still have the receipt.)
Now nothing is more important than to return to first principles. (Arizona Congressman Jeff Flake also makes that point and others in his Washington Post article today.) In the introduction, Reagan refers to the deficit spending and expansion of government programs under the liberal Democrats. He could be referring to the Bush administration.
If you look carefully you might catch a glimpse of Hillary Clinton in the front row in her ?Goldwater Girl? outfit. You will also learn that a Harvard education cost $2,700 per year in 1964. That?s right $2,700 not $27,000. You will also learn that Social Security was bankrupt even back then. Also note that Reagan had no teleprompters
His attack on communism in the conclusion is classic Reagan. You can tell by the tone of his voice that he had determination to defeat the Soviet Union and, of course, that is exactly what he did as president.
All young conservatives and libertarians must watch this speech (that means you JLF interns) to understand the movement and what we need to do to restore and reenergize it. Watch it here.
