Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
MPR News Staff

How American presidents use the 'bully pulpit'

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Nixon at the Berlin Wall, 1969
President Nixon views the Berlin Wall, February 27, 1969. The Berlin Wall quickly became one of the most recognizable symbols of the Cold War. Several U.S. presidents visited the wall, including President John F. Kennedy in 1963 and President Ronald Reagan in 1987. Reagan stood in front of the Brandenburg Gate and called east to the Soviet leader: "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"
Courtesy of the National Archives

President Donald Trump speaks at a rally in Duluth, Minnesota on June 20, 2018.

Linguist James McWhorter and two former presidential speechwriters for Presidents Reagan and Clinton talk about a president's use of the "bully pulpit" to persuade, console, encourage and inspire.

For his "Truth, Politics and Power" series, former NPR host Neal Conan explores the purpose and meaning of Presidential rhetoric.

Guests are:

Paul Glastris was the chief speechwriter for President Bill Clinton. He's currently the editor in chief of Washington Monthly magazine. Prior to joining the Clinton administration Glastris spent 10 years with US News and World Report.

Peter Robinson was a speechwriter for President Ronald Reagan. He authored Reagan's famous 1987 Berlin Wall speech in which the president called on Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to "tear down this wall." Robinson is currently a research fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University where he hosts "Uncommon Knowledge," a web-based video program. He's also the author of "How Reagan Changed My Life."

John McWhorter has a PhD in linguistics and is currently an associate professor of English and Comparative Literature at Columbia University and host of Slate's language podcast, Lexicon Valley. He's the author of a number of books including "Words on the Move: Why English Won't, and Can't Sit Still (Like, Literally)" and "Talking Back, Talking Black: Truths About America's Lingua Franca."