Many versions of the speech exist , since it was altered over many weeks . Contrary to popular belief , however , the speech was not given at the 1964 Republican National Convention in San Francisco , California as a nomination speech for presidential candidate Senator Barry Goldwater ; Everett Dirksen gave that nomination speech , while Richard Nixon introduced Goldwater prior to his acceptance speech . Reagan , though he campaigned for Goldwater , did not use " A Time for Choosing " until October 27 , 1964 , when it was part of a pre-recorded television program , '' Rendezvous with Destiny . '' ( The title of the program was used by Franklin D. Roosevelt in his June 27 , 1936 speech to the 1936 Democratic National Convention . ) In his autobiography , '' An American Life '' , Reagan recalled going to bed that night " hoping I had n't let Barry down . " Speaking for Goldwater , Reagan stressed his belief in the importance of smaller government . In the speech , he revealed his ideological motivation : " The Founding Fathers knew a government ca n't control the economy without controlling people . And they knew when a government sets out to do that , it must use force and coercion to achieve its purpose . So we have come to a time for choosing . " He also said , " You and I are told we must choose between a left or right , but I suggest there is no such thing as a left or right . There is only an up or down . Up to man 's age-old dream – the maximum of individual freedom consistent with law and order – or down to the ant heap of totalitarianism . " The speech raised $ 1 million for Goldwater 's campaign , and is considered the event that launched Reagan 's political career . To this day , " The Speech " is considered one of the most effective ever made on behalf of a candidate . Nevertheless , Barry Goldwater lost the election by one of the largest margins in history . Soon afterwards , Reagan was asked to run for Governor of California ; he ran for office and won election in 1966 . Reagan was later dubbed the " Great Communicator " in recognition of his effective oratory skills
1964 Republican National Convention
1964 Republican National Convention
A Time for Choosing