“All I need are a few facts … and I’m golden”

An attitude that’s more common than speechwriters want to believe. A Gary Delsohn piece recalling his three years of writing speeches for former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger quoted former California State Senate president John Burton, who didn’t understand the need for speechwriters:

“Me, I’m going to a poultry convention to give a speech, all I need are a few facts about fucking chickens and I’m golden. I don’t get it.”

We noticed. —DM