Post by dgriffin on Apr 1, 2008 22:26:49 GMT -5
Thelma, I don't think you'll find a single politician above the local level who writes his own speeches. Speech writers (I've done a bit of it) are highly prized professionals who turn a phrase to make your ears hum and your heart quake. A speech is a very carefully choreographed dance of facts, emotions and promises. A state or especially national level pol would never write his own speeches. Also, speeches form the skeleton of a candidate's policy statement and are accepted as an official record of his views. He'd be crazy to try to keep track of it and word it by himself. Just as a a layman would be ill advised to write his own legal documents. Usually, a candidate will meet with a speech writer and lay out the basic points. The writer will note turns of phrase that the candidate feels comfortable with and many iterations will occur before the speech is given. A research team will fact-check the speech and a legal team will always look at it. It's quite a process. It is indeed a "show."
Thelma, I've been in politics for over 30 years now and do agree completely with Dave. All the candidates have others write their speeches for them, not just Obama. 