Speechwriting for the President | John McConnell | Talk at Google

TL;DR

John McConnell, a former speechwriter for President George W. Bush, discusses his experience and insights working in the White House.

Transcript

[MUSIC PLAYING] SPEAKER 1: Welcome, everyone, to Talks at Google. Today, it's my pleasure to introduce John McConnell. John McConnell served more than 10 years on the White House staff as a senior speechwriter for President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney. He was part of the three-person team responsible for all of the 43rd president'... Read More

Key Insights

• 💦 Speechwriting involves working under strict deadlines and tight time frames due to the president's busy schedule.
• ✍️ Speechwriters must adapt their writing style and content based on the nature of the event and the audience.
• 🙅 Good speechwriters develop a close connection with the person they are writing for, allowing them to understand the speaker's voice and preferences.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did John McConnell initially start working for President George W. Bush?

John McConnell began working for Governor Bush in Austin, Texas in 2000 as part of the presidential campaign team.

Q: Did McConnell serve as both a speechwriter for President Bush and Vice President Cheney?

Yes, McConnell held the title of speechwriter to both the president and vice president, a unique position that had never been done before in the White House.

Q: What was the process of writing a speech for the president like?

McConnell explains that the speechwriting process involved gathering policy information from various sources, writing in the president's voice, fact-checking, and going through an extensive staff review before reaching the president for final approval.

Q: How did McConnell handle writing speeches in times of national crises, such as the September 11 attacks?

McConnell describes the intense environment after the 9/11 attacks, where the speechwriting team had to work quickly to craft speeches for the president, addressing the nation and Congress. He emphasizes the importance of fact-checking and the role of the staff secretary in ensuring the accuracy of the speeches.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• John McConnell recounts his journey of becoming a speechwriter and working for President George W. Bush for over 10 years.

• He highlights the unique experience of serving as a speechwriter for both the president and the vice president simultaneously.

• McConnell describes the day-to-day responsibilities of a speechwriter, including writing, editing, and fact-checking speeches, as well as working within strict deadlines.