Files related to Underwood's work for George Busbee, 1974-2004

Containers:

Box 04

Scope and content:

Note from donor: "The materials in this box are related to my work for Governor George Busbee. I was a volunteer, but I had what turned out to be a significant role in the Busbee campaign for governor in 1974. I was the principal speech writer for that campaign, and I worked closely with Dorothy Wood in the development of campaign commercials for TV and radio. As the campaign evolved, most decisions involving strategy were closely related to the substance of the campaign speeches and commercials. Therefore, my role also evolved into the main strategist for the campaign. When the campaign ended with a successful outcome, Governor-elect Busbee asked me to fill the position of Chief of Staff (then called Executive Secretary) in the office of Governor. I served in this position the entire first term from 1975 through 1978. Early in 1979 Governor Busbee appointed me to serve on the Georgia Court of Appeals. In selecting papers for this box, I have made no effort to duplicate the extensive set of papers in the Busbee Collection in the Russell Library. That collection includes the working papers and official records of both the first and second terms of Governor Busbee and, of course, is a much more comprehensive collection than this box which is intended to show the nature and range of matters that I worked on with Governor Busbee. The materials in this box are intended to be representative examples of my work in the Busbee campaign and as Chief of Staff in the Governor's office. The speeches included in this box were written by me as were many more in the extensive collection of speeches in the Busbee papers. Those papers also include many additional speeches written by press secretary Duane Riner and other staff in the Press Office. Governor Busbee's speaking style was to use a script for most of his significant speeches, and to provide copies to the press which enhanced both the coverage and the accuracy of press reports on the speeches. On many occasions in his 1974 campaign and other informal occasion while he was Governor, he would deliver "stump" speeches with no notes. He was effective in delivering these speeches and was able to have eye contact with the audience throughout the speech, whereas his use of a script limited that eye contact. When he used a script he would frequently add comments at the beginning or end of the speech referring to the occasion or to people in the audience, and these informal comments added much to his warmth and sincerity as a public speaker. All the speeches I wrote for Governor Busbee were based on our daily communication in which he provided guidance on matters he wanted to mention or emphasize in upcoming speeches."

Physical location:

32108050521742

Collection context

Contents

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