Ike’s “military-industrial complex” was a bland compromise
December 13, 2010
Speechwriters who despair that the speech-creation process is too bureaucratic to produce any memorable communicationโtake heart!
Newly released documents from the National Archives reveal that the most enduring phrase from President Eisenhower, the line in his farewell address warning of the need to be vigilant about the โmilitary-industrial complex,โ had been watered down over the course of two years and 21 drafts. And still it had plenty of juice.
The lesson here, apparently: Write a bold first draft!