Posted on 09/08/2008 12:35:07 AM PDT by goldstategop
Moments after Sarah Palin had finished her barnstorming acceptance speech to the Republican Convention, the media spinning began: sure, she can use a teleprompter or read a speech written by a gifted speechwriter like Matthew Scully. Big deal. So could anybody.
Two facts make me uniquely qualified to comment on these claims.
First, I used to be a speechwriter for Margaret Thatcher. Second, as editor of National Review I hired Matt Scully to be assistant editor and introduced him to the world of conservative opinion journalism.
But the truth about speechwriting is strictly bipartisan.
There are cases of politicians simply reading a speech written by someone else — one senator even read out the attached press release, including the line “the Senator was repeatedly interrupted by applause in the course of his remarks.”
But no major politician does that. Those who do soon cease to be major politicians.
Mrs. Thatcher went over every line, comma, and paragraph break in her speeches. They sometimes went through five drafts. Speechwriting sessions could last days.
But Mrs. T did everything we did — and ran the country too.
So, when asked, I always say truthfully: No one writes speeches for Margaret Thatcher; they write speeches with Margaret Thatcher.
I am told that Governor Palin was similarly involved.
She would have been foolish not to be. Speakers have to make speeches their own. They have to feel the sentiments and know the facts. After all, if they get something wrong, it will be quoted against them for years — these days on YouTube.
Even then the most sincere speaker may lack the skills to put across a good speech well. Matt Scully is a superb speechwriter, but his best work was sometimes awkwardly delivered.
Not this time.
I devised a small test while watching.
Matt has a slightly aggressive sense of mischief. How would Mrs. Palin deliver his mischievous thrusts? So whenever I heard a hint of Matt’s mischief in the words, I would check out the Governor’s expression.
Invariably there was a glint of mischief in her eyes.
Matt, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
If Team Obama/Biden aren’t scared, they’re stupid.
to prove this....Matt has written for others ....Dan Quail and Dubya IIRC....can anyone remember ONE memorable speech from either of them?
that speech was Sarah Palin’s ...totally....Matt Scully might have put in some words, a phrase here and there, but that speech was Sarah’s....
as if we all didn’t know that already :)
Matches all made in heaven :-). Their two families seem to gel as well.
Wonder what one has to do to be a speech writer.
It is tiring how media will credit the speech writer when a conservative pulls off a good one (witness Peggy Noonan working for Bush I and Reagan) but they give all the credit to Libs (Ted Kennedy’s “The dream will never die...” by Schrum).
These speech writers should just STHU as they are well paid for their work. They should be bound by confidentiality, and of course the media should not try to make them the stars which they are not.
I am anxious to see the people Sarah! Sarah! Sarah! brings to Washington with her! I am confident we are in for some very pleasant surprises.
So much of what a President, and so likewise a VP, brings to the office is in the staff that accompanies and serves them. I shudder when I think of the people the Clintons introduced us to over their time in DC.
Greta showed a debate involving Sarah and a couple of male politicians (lt governor or governors race?). The two men were squabbling over some minor point, and Sarah interrupted to say that the people of Alaska deserved better than their squabbling over a triviality.
She is indeed someone Braaack and Plugs should fear.
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