Gordon Brown paid West Wing Writers $40,000 for 'tailoring' speech

[Prometheus Bound]

How Gordon Brown paid West Wing Writers $40,000 for 'tailoring' speech
The Guardian, Wednesday 4 November 2009

Gordon Brown's speech to the US Congress in March earned no fewer than 19 standing ovations, a congratulatory call from President Obama and plaudits for its command of global economics and rousing call to action.

What American politicians did not know at the time was that at least some of it was the work of a Washington-based speechwriting company called West Wing Writers – which charged the prime minister $7,000 (£4,300) for its services.

Today it emerged that Brown has paid more than $40,000 to the company to help him tailor speeches to US audiences while chancellor of the exchequer and prime minister. Staffed by former aides to Bill Clinton, West Wing Writers will doubtless have sounded reassuring to New Labour aficionados of Aaron Sorkin's rendering of life at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/nov/04/gordon-brown-speeches-west-wing-writers


Gordon Brown paid Bill Clinton's former speechwriter $40,000 to 'tailor' U.S. speeches
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1225113/Gordon-Brown-paid-Bill-Clintons-speechwriter-40-000-tailor-US-address.html


Gordon Brown named UK’s Most Boring Public Speaker
March 12th, 2009
LONDON - British Prime Minister Gordon Brown is the most boring public speaker in the UK, says a survey of 1,000 adults.

The Brit leader has pipped footballer David Beckham into second place to land the first spot, reports The Scotsman.

According to the study, one in five believe that Brown is the worst public speaker, followed by Beckham, the actress Kate Winslet, Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles and the Prince of Wales.

Actor Stephen Fry was the most popular public speaker, beating even Barack Obama, the survey stated.

One in six of those polled said public speaking was their “worst nightmare”.
http://blog.taragana.com/n/gordon-brown-named-uks-most-boring-public-speaker-16551/

[LeftishBrit]

1. Just to note that the Daily (Hate) Mail is a very right-wing rag

They don't like Brown because he's too left wing for them. The Daily Mail talking about Brown are practically like Rush Limbaugh talking about Obama.

He isn't a charismatic speaker, but he talks a lot more sense than his Tory rival Cameron.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

2. I like Gordon Brown

[Prometheus Bound]

3. What does that have to do with anything? They're reporting a fact.

It's not an opinion piece. Anyway, the main article cited in the OP is the Guardian, not the Daily Mail.

And who doesn't know the Daily Mail is a right-wing rag.


Brown 'paid $40,000 for US speechwriters'
Wednesday, 04, Nov 2009 12:18

By Richard James.

Gordon Brown has paid more than $40,000 (£24,214) to a Washington-based speechwriting company to help in addresses to US audiences, it has been alleged.

The Guardian newspaper claims the prime minister has paid the fee to the West Wing Writers during his time in 10 Downing Street and previously as chancellor.

One speech in particular is highlighted - Mr Brown's address to the US Congress in March.

The speech received some 19 standing ovations and was widely praised for its vision on the economic crisis and dramatically improving his standing on the international stage.

The Guardian, however, claims today at least some of the speech was the work of the speechwriting company which charged the prime minster $7,000 (£4,300) for the pleasure.

The paper reports the figures became public after West Wing Writers filed documents with the US justice department.
http://www.inthenews.co.uk/news/politics/brown-paid-40-000-for-us-speechwriters--$1338690.htm

[LeftishBrit]

4. I was referring to the headline that he was rated 'the most boring public speaker in Britain'

By the Daily Mail readership perhaps. Not by everyone. Certainly not by me.


The fact that he paid a speechwriter a lot of money to help him compose a speech is factual, but not really very surprising. Most politicians employ speechwriters. What is perhaps of real interest is the connection with the West Wing!

'who doesn't know the Daily Mail is a right-wing rag.'

Quite a lot of people outside the UK in my experience. Of course, most Brits don't know a lot about right-wing American sources.

[Prometheus Bound]

5. It was a survey by speech-to-text company SpinVox. Nothing to do with the Daily Mail.

Even if it was a puff poll, to be fair, it's hard to say he's not a terribly boring speaker.

[T_i_B]

8. "And who doesn't know the Daily Mail is a right-wing rag."

Quite a lot of DUer's in my experience, who seem to have no idea that the Daily Fail is a right wing propaganda rag and not to be wholly trusted.

I very much doubt the Daily Wail would make the same sort of fuss over Tories who are not good speakers.

[KittyWampus]

6. Good, glad an American company made some money.

[Prometheus Bound]

7. Frankly, I'm impressed. I write speeches for 38 cents a word.

[Stevenmarc]

9. Bespoke ain't cheap

[surrealAmerican]

10. That's a nice bit of advertising for the West Wing Writers.

Apparently they do good work.