The 1998 State of the Union

“My plan to balance the budget next year includes both new investments and new tax cuts targeted to the needs of working families, for education, for child care, for the environment.” - President Clinton

The President and speechwriters prepare for the SOTU

The President and speechwriters preparing for the SOTU on January 24, 1998

Draft of 1998 State of the Union

This draft shows President Clinton’s handwritten edits to the 1998 State of the Union.

Michael Waldman was Director of Speechwriting for the 1998 State of the Union. Waldman’s files contain drafts (including drafts annotated with the President’s comments), facts, policy memos, polling data, and researcher plans. Waldman’s files focus on themes of the 1998 SOTU such as the budget, the new economy, and drug control.

Lowell Weiss was a Presidential speechwriter from 1997 to 2000. Weiss’s files for the 1998 State of the Union focus on the environment.

Learn more about the 1998 State of the Union on YouTube and from this transcript.