Presidential speechwriters call for more discipline by candidates

The first day of the 2012 Ragan Speechwriters Conference last week concluded with a blue-ribbon panel of former presidential speechwriters from both parties calling for more discipline on the part of contenders for our country’s highest office.

George H.W. Bush speechwriter Chriss Winston said Republican candidates focus too much on process and the negative campaigns of their opponents instead of how to turn the country around. They need to focus their message.

Reagan-era speechwriter Clark Judge said the 24-hour media coverage will unseat those who practice politics as usual:

“Presidential communications begins with the discipline of thinking through what you’re saying, who you’re saying it to, how you’re saying it and whether you’re going directly through cable to the country or if you’ll be mediated by reporters picking out sound bites.”