Michael Waldman | |
|---|---|
 Waldman in 2023 | |
| White House Director of Speechwriting | |
| In office December 22, 1995 – August 9, 1999 | |
| President | Bill Clinton |
| Preceded by | Donald A. Baer |
| Succeeded by | Terry Edmonds |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Elizabeth Fine |
| Children | 3 |
| Relatives | Steven Waldman (brother) |
| Education | Columbia University (BA) New York University (JD) |
Michael A. Waldman is an American attorney and presidential speechwriter and political advisor, currently serving as the president of theBrennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law, a nonprofit law and policy institute.[1] Waldman has led the center since 2005.[2]
Waldman earned a Bachelor of Arts degree fromColumbia University in 1982 and aJuris Doctor from theNew York University School of Law in 1987.[3] During law school, Waldman worked on theNew York University Law Review.[4]
From 1993 to 1995, Waldman was a special assistant to PresidentBill Clinton for policy coordination. As the topWhite House policy aide on campaign finance reform, he drafted the Clinton administration's public financing proposal. From 1995 to 1999, he was Director of Speechwriting, serving asAssistant to the President, and was responsible for writing or editing nearly 2,000 speeches, including fourState of the Union and two Inaugural Addresses.[2]
Prior to his government service, Waldman was the executive director of Public Citizen's Congress Watch, then the capital's largest consumer lobbying office (1989–92).[5] After working in the government, he was a Lecturer in Public Policy atHarvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government (2001–03), teaching courses on political reform, public leadership and communications.[6] He was a partner in a litigation law firm in New York City and Washington, D.C.
In a September 2000 interview withPBS, he discussed his experiences at the White House, including his role as speechwriter, President Clinton's communication style, and the White House response to events such as theOklahoma City bombing and theLewinsky scandal.[7]
On April 9, 2021, Waldman was named to thePresidential Commission on the Supreme Court of the United States by PresidentJoe Biden.[8]
Waldman appears frequently on television and radio to discusspublic policy, thepresidency and thelaw. Appearances includeGood Morning America;PBSNewshour,CBS Evening News; theO'Reilly Factor;Nightline;60 Minutes;Hardball withChris Matthews;CNN'sCrossfire; theDylan Ratigan Show; color commentary onNBC (State of the Union) andABC (Obama inaugural);NPR'sMorning Edition;All Things Considered;Fresh Air;Diane Rehm;The Colbert Report; and many other programs. He writes frequently for publications includingThe New York Times,Washington Post,Newsweek,Slate andDemocracy.
Waldman is the author of several books, including:
Waldman spent the majority of his childhood inGreat Neck, New York.[9] He is married to Elizabeth Fine, counsel to New York GovernorKathy Hochul.[10] She was general counsel to the New York City Council and deputy assistant attorney general for the United States during the Clinton administration. Together they have three children.[11] Waldman and his family reside inBrooklyn, New York.
His brother,Steven Waldman, co-foundedBeliefnet and formerly served as a senior advisor to the chairman of theFederal Communications Commission.[12]
