Might some references to speechwriters even function as an inoculation effect, protecting the speaker against criticism?

Josh Compton

Presidents not only use speechwriters; they also have views on speechwriting. This essay examines public presidential mentions of speechwriting and speechwriters to explore how POTUS’s comments might reveal implicit and explicit criticisms and compliments of speechwriting as a component of presidential rhetoric. The essay also considers some advice offered by presidents on the practice of effective speechwriting. Presidents Johnson, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush, Clinton, W. Bush, and Obama are featured.

Compton, J. (2018). Presidents on speechwriting: United States presidents’ public statements about speechwriting. The Forensic of Pi Kappa Delta, 103(1), 1-12.