Anyone who has ever written a speech knows how difficult it can be. And when it comes to writing speeches, I doubt there are many that get a bigger audience, more scrutiny and can have a bigger impact than a President’s Inagural Address, as we all witnessed this week.
One of the best writers I ever worked with is a guy named Al Tompkins. He was writing some brilliant news stories and special reports at WSMV-TV in Nashville when I worked with him. (His work was made even more powerful by the photo work of Pat Slattery and Lyle Jackson). When I first joined the station from competitor WTVF-TV, which also had a ton of talent, Al told me he thought I was “the devil in a silk tie.” At least it was silk. Al is the kind of guy who, when he went to Guatemla and did a story on the horrible poverty, met a kid living at a dump, adopted her, brought her home and raised her. The world needs more people like Al.
Al is now with the Poynter Institute, helping journalsits all over America become better. He analyzed Presdident Obama’s address and compared it with others. His findings can be read here. Interesting stuff.
Thanks, Al.
