On the day of this year’s State of the Union, we will host a webinar during which we’ll interview two former presidential speechwriters about their careers in the White House. This includes their interactions with the President, the drafting of the State of the Union, responses to American crises, experiences working with Congress, and the lessons they’ve learned communicating with the American public. We’ll also discuss what to expect from that evening’s State of the Union & how Pres. Biden might address Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Joining us for this fascinating conversation will be John P. McConnell, who served eight years as senior speechwriter to President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney, and Michael Waldman, the former director of speechwriting for President Bill Clinton and the current President of the Brennan Center for Justice.