Ken Hechler, Dean of White House Speech Writers
Ken Hechler attended the biennial meeting of an organization of White House speech writers called The Judson Welliver Society on Tuesday, October 16th, held at The Washington Post. He was the only one of three living members from the Truman White House and probably the oldest living attendee. He said it was a “magnificent experience.”
There were speechwriters from every president’s tenure including several from the Bush II White House which Ken had to swear in, ending with “so help me William Safire!” An amazing collection of influential American writers/politicians including William Safire were in attendance with Ken as the reigning senior member. Tony Snow, the recently resigned White House press director, was not able to make it - nor did Jack Valenti - now deceased. Snow has colon cancer.
Robert Schlesinger, the son of Arthur Schlesinginger Jr, the famous historian/White House person, is writing a book on the group and came to Charleston in November 2006 to interview Ken.
