July 17, 1980: Ronald Reagan Acceptance Speech

 

Hands down the most effective acceptance speech I have witnessed in my life.  Reagan had been aiming for this since 1968.  For his conservative followers this was the culmination of a battle dating back to the Eisenhower-Taft struggle in 1952.  Here is the text of the speech:

Mr. Chairman, Mr. Vice President to be, this convention, my fellow citizens of this great nation:

With a deep awareness of the responsibility conferred by your trust, I accept your nomination for the presidency of the United States. I do so with deep gratitude, and I think also I might interject on behalf of all of us, our thanks to Detroit and the people of Michigan and to this city for the warm hospitality they have shown. And I thank you for your wholehearted response to my recommendation in regard to George Bush as a candidate for vice president.

I am very proud of our party tonight. This convention has shown to all America a party united, with positive programs for solving the nation’s problems; a party ready to build a new consensus with all those across the land who share a community of values embodied in these words: family, work, neighborhood, peace and freedom.

I know we have had a quarrel or two, but only as to the method of attaining a goal. There was no argument about the goal. As president, I will establish a liaison with the 50 governors to encourage them to eliminate, where it exists, discrimination against women. I will monitor federal laws to insure their implementation and to add statutes if they are needed.

More than anything else, I want my candidacy to unify our country; to renew the American spirit and sense of purpose. I want to carry our message to every American, regardless of party affiliation, who is a member of this community of shared values.

Ronald Reagan Convention Speech July 17, 1980

 

With the political conventions during the last two weeks, I have found my thoughts returning to the finest convention speech I have ever heard.  In 1980 I was 23 years old and I recall listening in rapt attention to Ronald Reagan’s acceptance speech.  After that speech I had no doubt that he would prevail in the fall.  Here is the text of Reagan’s speech: