No Reagan

Actor and spokesman Ronald Reagan was asked to give the keynote speech at the 1964 Republican National Convention, the Goldwater campaign had hoped that Reagan's speaking abilities would bring more interested to their candidate. However moments before giving his speech Reagan began to suffer from the effects of minor food poisoning, he became ill and began to sweat profusely. Due to his sudden illnes Reagan gave a much shorter version of his original speech, his discomfort obvious to the audience most believed he had choked in front of a crowd.

While leaving the Convention to go to the hospital after his speech an aid to Goldwater said to Reagan "Stick to acting because you'd never make it in politics". Reagan took that advice to heart and chooses to never run for public office.

Timeline (No Reagan)