Many versions of this 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
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 hadn't let Barry down." Speaking for Goldwater, Reagan stressed his belief in the importance of
smaller government. In the speech, Reagan revealed his ideological motivation: "The
Founding Fathers knew a government can'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. == Aftermath and legacy ==