Presidential Speechwriting: From the New Deal to the Reagan Revolution and Beyond

Presidential Rhetoric and Political Communication

By: Kurt Ritter, Martin J. Medhurst

Narrated by: Stuart McNish

The rise of the media presidency through radio and television broadcasts has heightened the visibility and importance of presidential speeches in determining the effectiveness and popularity of the president of the United States. Not surprisingly, this development has also witnessed the rise of professional speechwriters to craft the words the chief executive will deliver to the nation.

Yet, the reliance of individual presidents on their speechwriters has varied with the rhetorical skill of the officeholder himself, his managerial style, and his personal attitude toward public speaking. The individual sections here (two by former White House speechwriters) give fascinating insight into the process and development of presidential speechwriting from Franklin D. Roosevelt’s administration to Ronald Reagan’s.

The range of presidents covered affords opportunities to examine various factors that make rhetoric successful or not, to study alternative organizational arrangements for speechwriters, and even to consider the evolution of the rhetorical presidency itself.

The book was published by Texas A&M University Press. The audiobook was published by University Press Audiobooks.

©2004 Program in Presidential Rhetoric (P)2019 Redwood Audiobooks

Critic reviews

“Important... a fascinating and useful work that presents some of the best material ever produced on the subject.” (Choice)

“An excellent contribution to the existing treatments of the critical activity of presidential leadership.” (Rhetoric & Public Affairs)

“It is a rare pleasure, indeed, to read a book written by multiple authors of such consistently high quality.” (Argumentation and Advocacy)