Writing a State of the Union address isn't much fun

+ the dark side of Cupid US Edition - Today's top story: State of the Union address is Biden's chance to shine – and a speechwriter's burden to get voters to listen [View in browser]( US Edition | 8 February 2023 [The Conversation] [The Conversation]( During much of his State of the Union address last night, President Joe Biden looked like he was having a good time. But you can be pretty sure that writing Biden’s speech was less fun for his speechwriter. I suspected that was the case because I’ve watched West Wing five times, including the episodes when the usually dyspeptic Toby suffers even more through writing the speech for the fictional President Josiah Bartlet. But now I really know it, because former presidential speechwriter Mary Kate Cary, who worked for President George H. W. Bush, has provided a [behind-the-scenes look]( at the process that produces speeches like Biden’s. “Sure, the State of the Union speech is one of the great rituals of our American democracy,” writes Cary, an adjunct professor of politics and a senior fellow at the Miller Center at the University of Virginia. “But it’s also an unusually difficult and thankless job for any speechwriter.” What the president wants to say and what Americans want to hear from the president often diverge. A speechwriter must artfully reconcile those two things. Complicating the task is the need to [cram lots of policy recommendations]( into the speech and to provide enough numbers that impress but don’t bore the audience outside of the House chamber. “It could take anywhere from hours to weeks to agree on the policy conflicts and budget numbers,” writes Cary. Did she ever write a State of the Union? Not a chance, she writes: “I’ve seen the process up close and was always relieved to have dodged the bullet.” Also today: - [Dealing with those ‘dark personalities’ in the office]( - [Treating problem gamblers works – yet few seek help]( - [How Black communities deal with the trauma of police brutality]( Naomi Schalit Democracy Editor President Joe Biden gestures as he delivers his State of the Union address on February 07, 2023 in Washington, DC. Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images [State of the Union address is Biden’s chance to shine – and a speechwriter’s burden to get voters to listen]( Mary Kate Cary, University of Virginia How does a State of the Union speech get written? A former White House presidential speechwriter describes the many hands in this process. Health + Medicine - [Millions of Americans are problem gamblers – so why do so few people ever seek treatment?]( James P. Whelan, University of Memphis Treatment has a high success rate. Getting problem gamblers in the door – and getting them to complete a full course of therapy – is another matter. Politics + Society - [State of the Union: What experts have said about Biden’s proposed reforms on policing, guns and taxes – 8 essential reads]( Matt Williams, The Conversation President Biden outlined his achievements in key policy areas and sketched out his plans for the rest of his term in office. - [What the First Amendment really says – 4 basic principles of free speech in the US]( Lynn Greenky, Syracuse University ‘Congress shall make no law … abridging the freedom of speech.’ It’s often misunderstood, by many Americans. A constitutional scholar explains what it really boils down to. - [How Black communities cope with trauma triggered by police brutality]( Deion Scott Hawkins, Emerson College Police brutality disproportionately affects Black communities and can cause numerous adverse effects, including depression, anxiety and trauma. Science + Technology - [Cells routinely self-cannibalize to take out their trash, aiding in survival and disease prevention]( Åsa Gustafsson, University of California, San Diego; Justin Quiles, University of California, San Diego Cells degrade and recycle damaged parts of themselves through a process called autophagy. When this “self-devouring” goes awry, it may promote cancer and neurodegenerative disease. - [Here’s what to do when you encounter people with ‘dark personality traits’ at work]( Cinthia Beccacece Satornino, University of New Hampshire Narcissists, psychopaths and Machiavellians, oh my. These antagonistic personality types can make life hard for the people around them. Here are five tips for how to deal with them at work. Education - [9-year-old Black prodigy has already begun college – but schools often fail to recognize highly talented Black students]( Donna Ford, The Ohio State University Anti-Black bias and lack of teacher referrals are keeping Black students out of gifted school programs, a scholar suggests. Ethics + Religion - [Don’t underestimate Cupid – he’s not the chubby cherub you associate with Valentine’s Day]( Debbie Felton, UMass Amherst Ancient Greece and Rome may have handed down the image of rosy-cheeked Cupids, but their myths about him explore the messier – sometimes scarier – sides of love. Trending on site - [A journey from work to home is about more than just getting there – the psychological benefits of commuting that remote work doesn’t provide]( - [How California could save up its rain to ease future droughts — instead of watching epic atmospheric river rainfall drain into the Pacific]( - [Large numbers of Americans want a strong, rough, anti-democratic leader]( Today's graphic [A chart showing the number of Americans receiving health insurance through Medicaid from February 2014 to September 2022.]( From the story, [Biden’s plan for ending the emergency declaration for COVID-19 signals a pivotal point in the pandemic – 4 questions answered]( - - More of The Conversation Like this newsletter? You might be interested in our weekly and biweekly emails: • [Weekly Highlights]( • [Science Editors' Picks]( • [This Week in Religion]( • [Politics Weekly]( • [Global Perspectives]( • [Global Economy & Business]( Trying out new social media? 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