Political Communications

Abstract

Knapp and Hulbert provide a comprehensive overview of the role of ghostwriters and speechwriters in the realm of political communication, focusing on assistance offered to American presidents since the country’s founding. The chapter emphasizes the myriad ways in which speechwriters and other assistants have aided presidents over the years, the diverse ways in which such support is provided, and the question of whether it should be acknowledged. The authors further contextualize ghostwritten communications in the political arena by pointing to other examples, such as ghostwritten legislation. The authors conclude by offering reflections on the practice of ghostwriting in the political context through the lens of the ethical framework introduced in Chap. 1.