WASHINGTON, Jan. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As President Obama prepares to give the last State of the Union address of his first term, the Bipartisan Policy Center will host White House speechwriters from the last three administrations for a conversation about what to expect in the speech and the Republican response.  The event, entitled, State of the Union: The Speechwriters' Perspective, will begin at 8:30AM next Tuesday, January 24. 

Participants include: Vinca LaFleur, Speechwriter to President Bill Clinton; Bob Lehrman, Chief Speechwriter to Vice President Al Gore; John McConnell, Speechwriter to President George W. Bush; and Chriss Winston, Chief Speechwriter to President George H.W. Bush.  The discussion will be moderated by MSNBC's Richard Wolffe, author of Revival: The Struggle for Survival Inside the Obama White House.  BPC President Jason Grumet will give opening remarks. 

The conversation next Tuesday will explore the mechanics of writing a speech of such magnitude, the additional political pressures speechwriters face in an election year, and the expected reaction from the media and Republican presidential candidates.  Follow BPC's live tweets from the event @BPC_Bipartisan #SOTU.

This event is open to the press, but space is limited. To register, please email press@bipartisanpolicy.org. 

WHO:  
Vinca LaFleur, Partner, West Wing Writers
Former Speechwriter to President Bill Clinton

Bob Lehrman, Adjunct Professor, American University School of Communication
Former Chief Speechwriter to Vice President Al Gore

John McConnell 
Former Speechwriter to President George W. Bush

Chriss Winston
Former Chief Speechwriter to President George H.W. Bush 

Richard Wolffe, Political Analyst, MSNBC
Author, Revival: The Struggle for Survival Inside the Obama White House

Jason Grumet, President, BPC

WHAT: State of the Union: The Speechwriters' Perspective

WHERE: 
Bipartisan Policy Center
1225 Eye Street NW, Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 204-2400

WHEN:          
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Breakfast available at 8:00AM
Panel from 8:30-9:30AM
Audience Q&A to follow the panel discussion. 

About the Bipartisan Policy Center:
Founded in 2007 by former Senate Majority Leaders Howard Baker, Tom Daschle, Bob Dole and George Mitchell, the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) is a non-profit organization that drives principled solutions through rigorous analysis, reasoned negotiation, and respectful dialogue. With projects in multiple issue areas, BPC combines politically-balanced policymaking with strong, proactive advocacy and outreach.  For more information, please visit our website: www.bipartisanpolicy.org.

 

 

SOURCE Bipartisan Policy Center

Back to top

RELATED LINKS
http://www.bipartisanpolicy.org