Ronald Reagan In His Own Words
Ronald Reagan In His Own Words
Listen to audio clips from some of the 40th president' s best-known speeches
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Ronald Reagan, , had a remarkable ability to connect with people. Although he was nicknamed the Great Communicator, Reagan downplayed his skills, crediting the effectiveness of his messages to their content. Debate over Reagan's policies and actions will live on — and so will the memorable words he chose to explain them. The audio clips below revive some of the late president's best-known phrases.
The national debt
Excerpt: "You and I, as individuals, can, by borrowing, live beyond our means, but for only a limited period of time." Jan. 20, 1981 Balancing the budget
Excerpt: "An almost unbroken 50 years of deficit spending has finally brought us to a time of reckoning." Jan. 21, 1985 " Star Wars" missile defense system
Excerpt: "It wouldn't kill people; it would destroy weapons." Jan. 21, 1985 The space shuttle Challenger tragedy
Excerpt: "The future doesn't belong to the fainthearted. It belongs to the brave." Jan. 28, 1986 At the Brandenburg Gate a closed checkpoint of the Berlin Wall
Excerpt: "Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" June 12, 1987 Farewell Part 1
Excerpt: “I won a nickname: the Great Communicator.” Jan. 11, 1989
Farewell Part 2
Excerpt: "How stands the city on this winter night? More prosperous, more secure and happier than it was eight years ago." Jan. 11, 1989 Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures
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