"With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations."
-- Abraham Lincoln, March 4, 1865

"So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself -- nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance."
-- Franklin D. Roosevelt, March 4, 1933

"And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you -- ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world, ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man."
-- John F. Kennedy, January 20, 1961

American presidents have spoken some of their most memorable words at inaugurations. The newly inaugurated president often uses his first speech to lay out goals and principles, address the nation's divisions, and project America's place in the world.

President-elect Bush's inauguration speech comes after an extended election battle. How will he approach his speech, and what will he say?

How do presidents prepare for important addresses like these? How do presidents and speechwriters collaborate?

Two noted presidential speechwriters respond to viewer questions on inaugural addresses:

Ted Sorensen was speechwriter, adviser and legal counsel to John F. Kennedy. He has practiced international law for over 34 years at the firm of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison.

Ray Price wrote for Richard Nixon and served as special consultant to the president. He is currently president of the Economic Club of New York, a non-profit, non-partisan membership association of senior business leaders that serves as a public forum.

Click here for answers to selected forum questions...

1) Who was the first president to use a speechwriter?

2) How do you become a speechwriter?

3) How much does a president contribute to his speeches?

4) What are the goals of an inaugural address?

5) What should be the theme of Bush's speech?

6) How long should an inaugural speech be?

Library of Congress: Presidential Inaugurations

National Museum of American History: The American Presidency

George W. Bush's Campaign Speeches