Former presidential speechwriters talked about writing the convention acceptance speech. Topics included the speechwriters' first meeting with the Presidents, the relationship between polling and speech writing, and the importance of narrative. Martin Medhurst moderated.

Patrick Anderson was a speechwriter for President Carter, Kenneth Khachigian for President Reagan, and Ray Price for President Nixon.


The Presidential Oral History Program at the University of Virginia’s Miller Center of Public Affairs hosted a two-day White House Speechwriters Symposium, bringing together speechwriters from the Nixon through Clinton administrations to discuss White House communications and crafting a presidential message.