Climbing the Ladder

Before holding public office, Ronald Reagan honed his communication skills speaking before groups as a member of the Screen Actor's Guild and as a representative of General Electric (G.E.). The speeches delivered both before and during his years as the governor of California highlight the formation of Reagan's conservative ideology and anticipate the content of his speeches made during campaigns and the presidencies.

One of Reagan's first public speeches was a commencement address to the Class of '57 at Eureka College, Reagan's own alma mater. (June 7, 1957)

A Time For Choosing is one of Reagan's best known speeches from the pre-presidential years. Dated 1964, this speech was first televised as support for Barry Goldwater. The message was so popular, Reagan was immediately viewed as one of the new up-and-coming politicians in the Republican Party.

Once Reagan appeared on the political scene, his career snowballed. Less than three years after the delivery of A Time For Choosing, Reagan was elected Governor of California. He delivered his first Inaugural Address as Governor on January 5, 1967.

Reagan returned to his alma mater to dedicate their new library on September 28, 1967 with a speech titled The Value of Understanding the Past.

To Restore America was first televised on March 31, 1976 as part of Reagan's bid for the Republican nomination over Gerald Ford.

Return to the Reagan Home Page

Return to the Options Menu


Comments? Suggestions? Flames?