Five former presidential speechwriters discussed the role of presidential speechwriters throughout history and their relationships with the presidents they served. Topics included their assessments of President Obama's rhetoric. They also responded to questions from members of the audience.

Panel: Ted Sorensen, adviser and primary speechwriter for President Kennedy; Chris Matthews, speechwriter for President Carter; Landon Parvin, speechwriter for President Ronald Reagan and both Presidents Bush; Michael Waldman, speechwriter for President Clinton; and Michael Gerson, speechwriter for President George W. Bush. The moderator was Ken Walsh.

"Presidential Speechwriters: Making History One Word at a Time" was an evening presentation of the Smithsonian Associates.