Youve written for some of the most powerful people in the world. Can you treat us about your earlier life and tell us more about how you get to be a president ial speechwriter. I went on for a phd in Communication Studies very focused on aristotle rhetoric and the institute of oratory. All postings are incorporate the incorporated in the speechwriting craft. I then became a professor of Communication Studies focusing on the rhetoric and public address. I was invited down to the university of Carolina Chapel Hill to give a lecture it is so rare these days and it is not good. So i went back to charlottesville and i couldnt sleep so i got a single space iavepage letter and the next morning they mailed it off to the president o at the white hoe 1600 pennsylvania avenue and i didnt sleep and i didnt think anything else would come of it. The. What happened is when the letter came in, somebody in the mail room remembered they jus remembd a speechwriter and so my letter was sent up to the whit