Potus Speaks: Finding the Words That Defined the Clinton Presidency

In this lively and entertaining memoir of his seven years of service in the White House as a speechwriter for POTUS (President of the United States), Waldman does not move much beyond the by now familiar story of the roller-coaster trajectory of Clinton's presidency. He does note that Clinton likes to talk and is good at it, which is not news, but Waldman (Who Robbed America?) goes on to discuss how Clinton used his verbal skills to create a ""bully pulpit,"" employing presidential speeches as a means to change public opinion and push public policy and to institute other changes Waldman finds both numerous and significant. An unabashed Clinton admirer, he mentions the scandals of the presidency, but does not dwell on them. In the end, the reader does not see much beneath the surface of the man. Of interest, though, is Waldman's humorous description of the speech writing process: it is hectic and disorganized, finished at the last minute, and even presidential speech writers, we learn, get writer's block. In all, this is an enjoyable read. (Oct.)