Poetry and Prose: Speechwriting on the Campaign Trail and in Government

Mario Cuomo famously said, “You campaign in poetry. You govern in prose.” Hear from current and former presidential-campaign speechwriters about what it takes to write high-stakes, highly scrutinized poetry on the trail and in the convention hall—and how the job of the speechwriter changes once you’ve won the race and are writing prose from the halls of government. You’ll hear stories packed with tips you can use whether you work for a political leader or corporate executive.

  • Stephen Krupin
    Senior speechwriter for former President Barack Obama
  • Megan Rooney
    Deputy director of speechwriting
    Hillary for America 2016 Campaign
  • Lindsay Hayes
    Speechwriter and Communications Adviser
    Speechwriter and Communications Adviser
  • Mary Kate Cary
    Speechwriter
    Speechwriter